Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Sabotaging DCP Rally in Kakamega, Alleges State‑Backed Intimidation

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly blamed President William Ruto for the forceful disruption of a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) event in Kakamega, accusing the government of using security agencies to stifle the emerging party’s popularisation efforts. Speaking after a church service in Murang’a County on May 25, 2025, Gachagua claimed that police lobbed tear gas at thousands of his supporters, portraying the move as politically motivated and state-sponsored.
Gachagua insisted that the disruption was part of a broader effort to paint DCP—his fledgling party—as tribal, a narrative he rejected outright. He singled out prominent party figures who had been in Kakamega, such as Cleophas Malala, Senator John Methu, and Karungo Thang’wa, saying their rally was met with disproportionate force solely to delegitimise the party’s national appeal. In a scathing rebuke, he also expressed regret for having backed Ruto in the past, stating his support was a mistake he now intends to correct.
The incident sparked outrage within opposition circles, with Gachagua warning that DCP’s national reach threatens Ruto’s political base and predicting that his party will be instrumental in unseating the president in future elections.Analysts say the episode highlights the increasing politicisation of Kenya’s security agencies and raises serious questions about the conditions under which political rallies are held.
Looking ahead, the fallout could galvanise DCP as a serious force in national politics, especially if the party capitalises on the perceived suppression. If Gachagua sustains his strong messaging and builds on the momentum from these contested rallies, the DCP could emerge as a key challenger in the 2027 elections—and force a reckoning over political freedoms under Ruto’s leadership.