In Nairobi’s upscale Lavington neighbourhood, Kenya’s former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s big political comeback didn’t go as planned. It turned ugly instead.
On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the launch of Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) was disrupted when armed assailants stormed the headquarters, pelting stones and creating pandemonium. Security forces fired warning shots to disperse the mob, while three journalists reportedly sustained injuries and had their equipment confiscated by Gachagua’s security detail.
Gachagua, popularly known as “Riggy G,” was once instrumental in President William Ruto’s 2022 electoral victory, delivering the crucial Kikuyu vote from the Mount Kenya region. His political trajectory took a dramatic turn with his impeachment in October 2024 on charges of inciting ethnic division and undermining judicial independence.
Though acquitted in the Senate, Gachagua was expelled from Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), branded as a liability with a problematic history of corruption allegations.
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Gachagua didn’t give up. He went back to his country home in Nyeri to think things over for six months. Then he launched the DCP, a party with a bright green theme and the motto “Skiza Wakenya” (Listen to Kenyans). This party aims to be a down-to-earth option compared to what Gachagua calls Ruto’s “top-down leadership.”
On the social media platform X, Gachagua posted a harsh message. He blamed Ruto’s government for planning the Lavington attack. He said this was just the latest try to scare him since he was kicked out of office.
According to Gachagua, these incidents include disruption of a funeral in Limuru, an attack on his wife and fellow worshippers in Nyeri, tear gas deployment at a prayer meeting in Nyandarua, and the eviction of his children from a leased office space. He particularly criticised law enforcement agencies, alleging police complicity in escorting attackers and refusing to make arrests under political pressure.
“Doesn’t it make you feel bad that you’re now using criminals to scare people who don’t support you anymore?” Gachagua asked, but he was careful not to name President Ruto outright.
Video evidence confirms the mayhem showing guards firing into the air as people ran for cover. The Daily Nation called the event a “shameless return to the primitive repressive era,” questioning why police intel failed to predict the unrest.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen rejected this claim saying the National Police Service hadn’t been notified of the event and suggesting the disturbance originated from Gachagua’s unpaid supporters—a claim political experts have brushed off as a diversion. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who replaced Gachagua, condemned the violence while calling for “democratic tolerance,” avoiding Gachagua’s specific allegations.
The entrance of DCP into Kenya’s political scene might shake things up. President Ruto faces a direct challenge from Gachagua’s new party in the vote-rich Mount Kenya area, where constituents feel betrayed by the former deputy’s impeachment.
The DCP’s promise of inclusive governance and potential alliances with opposition figures like Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang’i could significantly erode UDA’s support base, complicating Ruto’s 2027 re-election ambitions. This makes Ruto’s hopes to win again in 2027 trickier. Deputy President Kindiki has the job of keeping UDA strong in the region. Gachagua’s story of betrayal poses a big threat to his trustworthiness.
The increasing clash between politicians goes on, as Kenya struggles with a decline in democratic values. People used to see Kenya as a shining example of multi-party democracy in East Africa. The events in Lavington show a worrying return to political violence bringing back memories of Kenya’s rough election history.
We can’t confirm if Gachagua is right about the government trying to scare people. But his words strike a chord with many Kenyans. They’re fed up with corrupt officials, people vanishing without a trace, and economic hardship. The issues that led to many deadly protests all through 2024.
Gachagua remains defiant amid the turmoil. “Like a gentleman, just accept that you lost the trust of the people and move on,” he told his political rivals hinting at growing power struggle. The DCP’s official kickoff now set for June 4, includes plans for a two-year tour across the country. Gachagua is capitalising on Kenya’s disenchanted citizens to fuel his political comeback.
As Kenya draws near to another election season, a big question hangs in the air: in a political scene where tribal ties often trump ideological beliefs and violence remains a tool, can the nation’s democratic institutions withstand the mounting pressure?
