Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua plans to open two new Wamunyoro annexes, in Nakuru and Meru counties. The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said both counties matter to his 2027 plans because of their large voter populations. The Star and Nairobi Wire both reported the plan.
Gachagua spoke on Wednesday at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County. He was hosting a delegation from Gilgil Constituency in Nakuru. He said Nakuru now has 1.3 million votes. That could reach 1.5 million when mass voter registration closes in January. By his count, it ranks third by votes, behind Nairobi and Kiambu.
He said he would spend a lot of time in Nakuru to stay close to the votes. The Meru annex would extend his networks beyond his traditional Mt Kenya strongholds, according to The Star. "Politics is a game of numbers. You go to where numbers are," Gachagua said. He called himself a political scientist who has taken part in every succession since Kenya returned to multi-party politics.
Gachagua also claimed strong support in several counties. He said he holds more than half of Nairobi, all of Kiambu and Meru, and 90 percent of Nakuru. He gave no source for these figures. In Kakamega, he said, he would join hands with Edwin Sifuna and Eugene Wamalwa.
He said his campaign would focus its time and resources on the counties with the most voters. In his words, that is "being strategic".
Gachagua was removed from office in October 2024. Since then, his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri has drawn opposition leaders, political delegations and supporters, The Star reported. Nairobi Wire said Gachagua is working to deny his former boss, President William Ruto, a second term. Neither outlet said when the new annexes will open.