Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has arrived in Embu County ahead of a major Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) rally scheduled for later on Saturday, July 25, 2026, as the party intensifies its grassroots mobilisation drive.

Gachagua was received upon arrival by Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji, alongside other local leaders and supporters who turned out to welcome him before the day’s political engagements.

Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji confirmed the visit by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Embu County on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

In a statement shared on his social media pages on Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Embu gubernatorial hopeful announced the programme for Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) “Meet the People Tour” in the county.

“We are set for the great day. It will be marked with the official opening of DCP County offices in Embu Town. See you there. Karibu Embu, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH,” Mukunji said.

According to the itinerary, the DCP leader will begin his tour at Gategi Market at 10:00 am before officially opening the party’s offices in Embu Town at noon. He will then proceed to Kathangariri at 2:30 p.m. and Karurumo at 4:00 p.m., concluding the day’s engagements in Siakago at 5:00 pm.

The visit forms part of DCP’s ongoing campaign to strengthen its presence across the Mt Kenya region as the party positions itself ahead of the 2027 general election. The rally is expected to bring together party supporters, grassroots leaders and residents from Embu and neighbouring counties.

Since launching the Democracy for the Citizens Party, Gachagua has embarked on a series of political tours across the country, using public rallies to popularise the party’s agenda and rally support for what he describes as a people-driven movement.

The Embu rally comes amid heightened political activity across the country, with both the government and opposition stepping up campaigns and public engagements more than a year before Kenyans head to the polls.

Gachagua is expected to address residents on key national issues, the party’s vision, and its strategy for the 2027 elections, while local leaders are also anticipated to outline their priorities for Embu County.

The rally is expected to attract a large crowd as DCP continues its efforts to expand its support base in the Mt Kenya region and beyond.

Rigathi Gachagua’s tour of the Mt. Kenya East region comes amid an intensifying political debate over the future of the vote-rich Mt. Kenya bloc following recent remarks by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.

Ruku argued that Mt. Kenya East should chart an independent political path separate from Mt. Kenya West, comments that have sparked widespread criticism from opposition leaders and even Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Critics have described the proposal as an attempt to fragment the region’s political unity ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that such divisions could weaken Mt Kenya’s bargaining power on the national stage.

Push for Mount Kenya unity

Gachagua’s visit to Embu is part of a broader strategy to reinforce unity across the Mt Kenya region while consolidating support for the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of anticipated coalition negotiations with like-minded leaders.

The former Deputy President has consistently maintained that the region should speak with one voice, and his latest tour is expected to bolster DCP’s growing influence in Mt Kenya East.

The Embu visit comes just a day after Gachagua addressed supporters in Nyahururu, underscoring his sustained efforts to unify the region behind his party.

His campaign has gained momentum following DCP’s high-profile victory in the Ol Kalou by-election, where the party defeated the ruling UDA candidate in a closely watched contest that was widely viewed as a significant political test ahead of the 2027 elections.