‘You’re Free to Join DCP,’ Gachagua Tells Babu Owino and Edwin Sifuna

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has renewed his political outreach in Nairobi.

Gachagua told ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino that they were free to join his party if they felt dissatisfied within ODM.

Speaking on Wednesday in Nairobi while receiving two newly elected DCP MCAs, Gachagua defended his stepped-up mobilisation, saying he was within his rights to promote his party.

“Let nobody make me feel like I am committing any political crime by marketing my party. That is my job,” he said.

He told Sifuna and Babu that they were welcome in DCP or any other party within the United Opposition.

“Edwin Sifuna, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP. Sifuna is a great senator in Nairobi, and I have no problem with DCP supporting him to be senator of Nairobi in 2027,” he said.

He extended a similar invitation to Babu, saying, “Babu Owino, if you are chased in ODM, come to DCP.”

Gachagua described DCP as “the party of Kenyan patriots,” but added that if the two leaders preferred not to join DCP, they could still work with Wiper.

He maintained that cooperation within the united opposition remained intact.

“Where Wiper is strong, we support; where DCP is strong, we support,” he said, adding that the coalition was optimistic about winning the Lang’ata constituency seat in 2027.

Gachagua reiterated that his efforts to expand DCP ahead of the 2027 elections aligned with broader opposition collaboration.

“You build your party, come and compete. I don’t hold any brief for any party, even if it is in the united opposition,” he said.

“I sell my party, and then I work with parties within the united opposition,” he added.

Gachagua also criticised ODM’s political approach, saying he believed that the party risked weakening itself by aligning too closely with the government.

He framed his remarks as a concern for what he considers the importance of strong political parties for democracy.

“I am saddened that ODM is being weakened,” he said, adding that vibrant parties strengthen democratic competition.

He referenced recent by-elections as, in his view, indicators of shifting political dynamics, citing the Narok town MCA seat won by DCP, the Kisa East ward victory in Western Kenya, and the Purko Ward seat won by UDA.

“If you allow the party to be sold, you will become a minority party. You will only get a few seats in Luo Nyanza,” he said, framing it as a warning based on his political assessment.