Uncertainty grows over Gachagua's new political party

The much-awaited announcement of a political party by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is in doubt following revelations that he will be seeking more time to form ‘‘a party with a national outlook’’.

If he postpones the anticipated announcement, it will be the third time he will be doing so as he had assured his supporters that he would disclose his political direction by the end of December which he later pushed to January and now tomorrow.

According to his allies, Gachagua was initially focused on forming a regional party to concentrate on Mt Kenya region but after leaders from other communities declared interests to join his political movement, he shelved his idea and started engaging representatives with the aim of forming a party with a national outlook, hence the delay.

Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru alias Major Donk said the former ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) deputy party leader was not in a hurry to launch a new party as there was no urgency.

He said he would continue building his political brand which he claimed has continued gaining traction and momentum nationally.

“Even President William Ruto did not immediately associate himself with the UDA party which came into being in 2021, a year to the General Election, he focused on building his brand and only joined the party at the tail end of the campaigns when he was cleared to vie as the party’s presidential candidate.

The Jubilee party that former President Uhuru Kenyatta used as his political vehicle in 2017 and The National Alliance (TNA) that he used in 2013 were formed months before the General Election,” Gathiru said.

The MP noted that going by the past history on the formation of political parties, the party leaders focus on charm offensive to build their political brand before announcing their parties.

This is a principle, the MP said, Gachagua will adhere to.

He said due to public demand, Gachagua abandoned the initial idea of forming a party with the regional outlook disclosing that after delegations from Maa, Kisii, Samburu and Luhya communities, the idea morphed into forming a party with a national face.

“The process of forming a political party is underway, but what he will be releasing on Sunday is an interim report informing Mt Kenya region of a new development since he announced he would form a party they will call home after Ruto’s betrayal,” added Gathiru.

Former Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru collaborated with Gathiru’s remarks saying Sunday’s announcement will focus on giving feedback to Kenyans on the public participation he has been conducting as he embarks on a lifetime journey ‘‘that will mark the process of mass exodus from the UDA party.’’

 “Tomorrow’s meeting will be the start of a robust engagement with Kenyans and other leaders from other communities that will culminate into a formation of a party that will include Kenyans from all cadres, from professionals to ordinary Kenyans, and employed and jobless, he said.

After Gachagua’s announcement, groups will be formed to come up with the party manifesto and constitution that will later allow the party to work with the like-minded parties such as Jubilee, Wiper party, DAO-Kenya among others,” he said.

She added: “You will not likely hear an announcement of a political party tomorrow, we shall likely announce the party after the election of the African Union Commission chairperson next week since there are members of the Opposition who have declared interests to join the bandwagon.”