The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, and his team defied the harsh treatment of the police, characterised by lobbed teargas meant to stop him from addressing the public in Kagio, Kirinyaga County, on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Gachagua was joined by leaders from the Mount Kenya region, among them Nyandarua Senator John Methu. Taking to X shortly after the chaotic visit, Gachagua hailed the courage and resilience of Kirinyaga locals as he continued his tour in the region, campaigning against President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.

Gachagua teargassed

The former Deputy President also decried live ammunition used by the police trying to thwart his attempts to hold a political rally in Kagio.

”Despite the heavy attack by police, live ammunition, teargas, vandalism of our equipment and state-sponsored militia brutality, we have reached the very heart of Kirinyaga County—Kagio! The people of Kirinyaga are resilient and courageous, united as one in the pursuit of change on August 10th, 2027! God bless you, and God bless Kenya!” Gachagua shared via X.

While on his campaign trail in Nyeri on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Rigathi said the epitome of Kenya’s liberation squarely lies in a people united to save the future of the country.

”I have listened to the people of Kenya. I have engaged the young and the old. In one strong voice, the people have said no to corruption, no to state-sponsored violence and militia, no to sale of our strategic National asset, no to poor policy, no to lies and fake promises, no extrajudicial Killings and abuse of the rule of law! As a people, we shall get there. We shall liberate our Nation and live in a nation our forefathers shed their blood for!” Gachagua said.

Gachagua’s chaotic visit to Kirinyaga comes as the county governor, Anne Waiguru, has ruled out the possibility of joining DCP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Waiguru’s stand against working with Gachagua comes at a moment when the Mt Kenya region political alignments have taken centre stage, with the former DP championing for the Central Kenya unity in a bid to unseat President William Ruto.

Speaking during the groundbreaking on the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC–Kirinyaga Central Campus), on Friday, December 5, 2025, Waiguru claimed she cannot work with Gachagua after his impeachment from office in October 2024, a political setback that blocked him from vying for any elective seat according to the 2010 Constitution.

Nothing to offer!

”I am not going to Wamunyoro; do not wait for me there. For those following me around, I tell them to take it slow because the election is far. People are saying I have one year left. At least I am working. If you do not have a seat anywhere, where will that person take us to?” Waiguru posed.