The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has been thrown into turmoil after Mbeere North aspirant Hon. Duncan Ireri Mbui ditched the party, accusing its leader, Rigathi Gachagua, of betrayal and career sabotage.
Mbui, the sitting MCA for Evurore Ward, revealed that he only resigned his seat after a series of meetings with Gachagua in Karen, Wamunyoro, and Lavington. In those meetings, Gachagua personally convinced him—through Manyatta MP Hon. Gitonga Mukunji—to step down and run for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat on a DCP ticket.
“I trusted Gachagua’s word and even resigned my MCA seat. I have spent over Kshs. 10 million on campaigns, merchandise, logistics, and ground mobilization. Then suddenly, he sends proxies to tell me DCP won’t give me the ticket,” Mbui lamented.
According to insiders, Gachagua has been pushing for a deal to hand the ticket to a Democratic Party candidate as part of a “joint opposition strategy,” leaving Mbui in political limbo. The betrayal has sparked anger among grassroots supporters who view it as another example of Gachagua using leaders and then discarding them.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who brokered Mbui’s entry into the race, expressed shock at the move and has vowed to stand with Mbui to the end. “Candidate wangu ni Mbui, na nitasimama na yeye hadi mwisho,” Mukunji declared, dismissing attempts at political power-brokering.
Mbui will now contest as an independent, accusing DCP of operating like a private members’ club under Gachagua’s manipulation.
Political observers warn that Gachagua’s tendency to use and dump allies is not only destabilizing DCP but also destroying promising careers. The Mbeere North saga is the latest in a string of fallouts that cast doubt on his credibility as a political leader.
