DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has received a brand-new Toyota Prado valued at about Ksh15 million, gifted by businessman and lawyer Mugambi Imanyara, in what organisers say is a show of support from the Meru community ahead of the 2027 political season.

The vehicle was handed over during a Saturday, July 4, 2026, evening function held at Imanyara’s home in Ithimbari, Meru County, where leaders and supporters gathered for a brief ceremony. The donation has drawn political attention, coming at a time when Gachagua has intensified his nationwide engagements following his exit from government.

According to those present, the gift aims to support Gachagua’s movement across the country as he builds alliances and mobilises support under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

During the ceremony, Mugambi Imanyara said the vehicle was offered on behalf of the Meru people. He stated that the intention was to assist Gachagua in his growing political tours.

“Your Excellency, this is a gift from the Meru people. They have taken cognisance of your requirement for mobility as you criss-cross the country in your efforts to liberate the nation,” Imanyara said as he handed over the keys.

“And they also take cognisance of the fact that some time back when you were in Othaya, there were some people who came and destroyed your vehicles in the hope that they could be able to cripple you and ensure that your journey to get Kenya out of this kind of problem is brought to a halt. So they have blessed you with this gift, na ujue ya kwamba we are ready, willing, and able to fight with you in the trenches, wherever you go, tutakuwa pamoja na wewe. So these are the keys,” he said.

The Toyota Prado was then handed over to Gachagua in the presence of guests. The vehicle will now join his political fleet as he continues with public meetings and consultative forums across the country.

Before the handover, a Catholic priest, Father John Mbaabu, blessed the vehicle during the ceremony. He prayed for protection and guidance over the new acquisition.

“May Almighty God bless this gift in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,” the priest said.

The blessing formed part of the short event before the formal presentation of the vehicle keys.

Clarification on earlier church incident

The donation comes months after political tensions linked to an incident at Witima ACK Church in Othaya, Nyeri County. The church service was disrupted during a visit by Gachagua, leading to allegations of political violence.

Gachagua has previously claimed that the incident involved organised disruption. In a public address in June 2026, he said investigators had already identified individuals linked to the chaos.

He further claimed that 12 police officers were involved and said they would face prosecution after ongoing investigations are completed.

“Unakumbuka tulivamiwa pale kanisa Witima ACK Church by 12 police officers armed with grenades, bombs, and tear gas,” he said during a church service in Bungoma.

He added that accountability would follow after what he described as completed investigations.

“Tangu wakati huo uchunguzi ulifanywa na ukakamilika. Na hao maofisa wote wakajulikana na file ikakuwa tayari wapelekwe kotini washitakiwe,” he said.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific allegations, but investigations into the incident have been ongoing.

Who is Mugambi Imanyara?

Mugambi Imanyara is a Meru-based lawyer and businessman who has recently become active in regional and national politics. He is also associated with the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) political network aligned with Gachagua’s political activities.

Imanyara has a long public history linked to Kenya’s party politics. He is widely known for his role in the early registration of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which later became a major political force in Kenya.

He has previously explained that he registered the ODM name during the formation of the Orange movement after the 2005 constitutional referendum.

“I knew that the Orange side of the constitutional contest would transform itself into a political party. I took the initiative to register the party called ODM,” he said in a past interview.

He later surrendered the party name to Raila Odinga’s camp after negotiations involving political leaders at the time. The party eventually became one of Kenya’s strongest political formations.

Imanyara is now positioning himself in Meru politics and is expected to contest the Meru Senate seat in the 2027 General Election. His recent public engagements, including hosting Gachagua, have increased his visibility in regional politics.

Gachagua’s growing political tours

Since leaving office as Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua has expanded his political activities across the country. He has held meetings in Mt Kenya, Rift Valley, Western, Coast, Eastern and Nairobi regions.

He has met residents, religious leaders, business groups and political allies as part of what he calls consultations for national unity and political realignment.

Gachagua has also worked closely with opposition-aligned leaders, who have increasingly appeared alongside him in public rallies and forums.

He has maintained that his goal is to build a broad political alliance capable of fielding a single presidential candidate in 2027 to challenge President William Ruto.

“These consultations are about building a united front that can bring change,” he has said during past meetings.