Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is drawing a harder line for politicians looking to cross over from President William Ruto’s camp into his DCP fold, signalling that the road to 2027 will not be open to everyone.
According to the Daily Nation report, Gachagua is insisting on strict conditions for defectors, a move that could reshape political alignments in Mt Kenya and beyond.
The report shows that Gachagua is now balancing between two competing forces within his own political camp.
On one side are hardliners who want defectors to fully embrace his camp’s position and clearly show loyalty to the new political direction.
On the other side are moderates who believe the opposition should remain broad and united, especially as leaders begin positioning themselves for the next general election.
This tension reflects the bigger political picture unfolding in Kenya. With parties already quietly reorganising, leaders are now seeking advantage, influence and survival in the run-up to 2027.
For Gachagua, the challenge is not just attracting politicians from rival camps, but also deciding who qualifies as a trusted ally.
The Daily Nation further reports that Gachagua has set up a seven-member committee to vet those seeking to switch allegiance.
The move appears designed to filter out opportunistic politicians, but it has also triggered questions about his motives, his leadership style and whether the conditions may alienate potential allies.
At the centre of it all is the question of loyalty.
In Kenya’s fast-changing political environment, defections are often driven by survival, strategy or calculations about where power is likely to shift. Gachagua’s approach suggests he is determined to avoid opening the door too widely.
As the 2027 contest draws closer, the battle for alliances, trust and political identity is only beginning.
Gachagua’s conditions may strengthen his base, but they may also deepen divisions inside the emerging coalition.
For now, one thing is clear: the race for 2027 has already started.