Irungu Nyakera. Photo/Courtesy
Former Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) board chair Irungu Nyakera has dismissed claims of a fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, terming the reports misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement, Nyakera addressed reports circulating online alleging that he had exited the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), shifted allegiance to Farmers Party, and cut ties with Gachagua.
The claims also suggested that he had been the sole financier of DCP operations in Nairobi’s Lavington area.
“I have seen a lot of posts, blogs and fake ‘inside stories’ going around claiming that I left DCP for Farmers Party, that I fell out with former DP Rigathi Gachagua, and even that I was solely funding DCP operations in our Lavington office,” he said.
Nyakera clarified that he remains affiliated with Farmers Party, explaining that his decision to step down as party leader followed his appointment to a government position.
He said the move was in compliance with regulations barring state board chairpersons from holding political party roles.
“First, I never left Farmers Party. I only stepped down as Party Leader when I joined government, in line with government circulars,” he said.
He added that his involvement in DCP has been limited to serving as Nairobi patron, a role he linked to his political ambitions in the capital.
On his relationship with Gachagua, Nyakera dismissed claims of a rift and maintained that the former Deputy President remains a key political influence in his career.
“Second, I have never fallen out with Rigathi Gachagua. In fact, I still consider him a political mentor and a man courageously carrying the Wantam message across the country,” he said.
Nyakera also addressed allegations regarding funding of DCP activities, stating that the party relies on contributions from members and supporters rather than a single individual.
“Finally, DCP is not funded by one individual. Like every serious political movement, it survives through the efforts of many people internally and friends who believe in the cause,” he said.
He further accused unnamed actors of spreading the claims to create confusion and weaken opposition politics.
“To the NIS-sponsored bloggers, bots and propaganda machinery pushing these stories to create confusion and weaken the opposition, know that Kenyans are smarter than you think. Find another story,” he added.
The statement comes amid increased political activity online, with leaders moving to counter claims and narratives as alignments continue to shift ahead of future political contests.