Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua follows proceedings during the requiem service for the 21 children who died in the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire on September 5, 2024, at Mweiga Stadium, Nyeri County, on September 26, 2024. JOSEPH KANYI | NATION
NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pulled an unexpected political move just hours after losing a high-stakes parliamentary battle over the Finance Bill, proving that he remains a formidable force despite his ouster from office.
On Thursday, the Kenya Kwanza administration secured a legislative victory when the National Assembly passed the contentious Finance Bill.
Despite strong pushback from Gachagua’s camp, only 40 Members of Parliament managed to vote “NO,” allowing the government-leaning faction to sail through with 122 votes.
However, rather than retreating, Gachagua has stunned Kenyans by immediately launching a strategic counter-offensive.
Viral photos surfaced online showing the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader hosting an exclusive, closed-door meeting with over ten of the legislators who boldly voted against the bill.
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Sources close to the former Deputy President revealed that the urgent gathering served as a postmortem of the National Assembly’s proceedings.
More importantly, it was used to map out a coordinated strategy to counter President William Ruto’s administration going forward. Gachagua later praised the 40 MPs publicly, calling them “the true heroes of our nation” who stood with ordinary citizens.
Beyond the Finance Bill aftermath, the meeting focused heavily on the upcoming Ol Kalou constituency by-election scheduled for July 16. Triggered by the death of MP David Kiaraho, the by-election has rapidly devolved into a “battle of the titans.”
The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is targeting a critical victory at Gachagua’s Mt. Kenya doorstep, fielding Samuel Muchina Nyagah. Meanwhile, Gachagua’s DCP camp is backing Sammy Kamau Ngotho following heavily populated party primaries.
With the political temperature rising, Gachagua’s swift realignment signals that the battle for the soul of the Mt. Kenya region ahead of the 2027 general election is officially underway.
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