Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again exposed the fragility of his political career after abruptly announcing that his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) will not field candidates in the forthcoming by-elections, including in his Mt. Kenya stronghold.
Just weeks ago, Gachagua boldly cut short a trip to the United States, declaring that he was returning home to spearhead campaigns for his new outfit. Today, however, he has chickened out, citing vague excuses that insiders say mask deeper fears and realities.
According to sources within his party, Gachagua is terrified of the humiliation that would follow if his DCP candidates were to lose badly against President William Ruto’s UDA juggernaut. Such a defeat, this early in the political cycle, would not only puncture his kingpin image but also accelerate the perception that his political career is on its last legs.
Financial troubles have compounded his woes. Those close to him reveal that Gachagua was blindsided by his impeachment and had sunk much of his wealth into building apartments and acquiring hotels. Unfortunately, neither of these ventures has yielded significant returns, leaving him cash-strapped and unable to bankroll competitive campaigns. “He is broke, and a campaign would expose it to the public,” one insider confided.
In a desperate attempt to save face, Gachagua now claims that DCP is stepping aside to “leave room” for friendly opposition parties. However, party insiders whisper that the former DP is even considering faking illness during the last leg of campaigns and flying out for “checkups” to avoid inevitable embarrassment.
Meanwhile, aspirants who had paid hefty amounts for DCP tickets are up in arms. With their campaigns abruptly abandoned, they are demanding refunds. The party leadership, however, maintains that the funds have already been spent on “party activities,” leaving the stranded candidates high and dry.
For a man who once boasted of being Mt. Kenya’s political general, Gachagua now looks more like a general in retreat—broke, cornered, and afraid of the very contests he once relished
