Kenya Insights

Tag: Gachagua New Party

  • Karua Rebrands Her Party To People’s Liberation Party

    Karua Rebrands Her Party To People’s Liberation Party

    NARC-Kenya Party leader Martha Karua has rebranded her party to People’s Liberation Party at an event attended by Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa and Rigathi Gachagua.

    During the launch, Karua emphasized the need for unity of purpose to ensure prosperity and for elected leaders to prioritize service delivery.

    “The call for unity is the foundation of the liberation movement and our commitment today is to do just that,” she stated.

    During the ceremony, Musyoka stated that the party will join an action-oriented unity movement.

    “We are going to unite under an idea, under an agenda. It cannot just be unity for the sake of removing an individual because of misrule,” he said.

    On his part, Gachagua urged the youth to register as voters ahead of the 2027 general elections and not just fight for liberation on social media.

    “The real transformation of this country will happen on the ballot, Gen-Z, register as voters and on the election day wake up early and go vote to elect the leaders you want. We will support you,” he said.

    PLP has new colors including purple, lilac, and white, moving away from red, white, and green of the NARC-Kenya party.

    In addition to the new name, the party’s slogan will henceforth be “Unite” and “Liberate,” replacing the old one, “One Kenya, One Nation, One People.”

    The party’s symbol has also changed from a red rose to a purple rose.

    According to Karua, the change in the colour of the petals does not signify a shift away from the party’s original mission, which was established in 2006.

    The one-time Presidential candidate in 2013 explained that the broader strategy of PLP aims to resonate more with the Generation Z demographic, who are expected to play a pivotal role in the 2027 General Election.

    The rebrand comes after Eugene Wamalwa opened the new Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) headquarters in a ceremony which was also attend by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

    It also comes as impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been on the lookout putting together a coalition of the willing, which so far has involved Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-Kenya), and Karua, signaling their willingness to work together.

  • New Party and Setbacks as Gachagua Battles for Political Survival

    New Party and Setbacks as Gachagua Battles for Political Survival

    As impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua tries to challenge his removal from office in court, he knows the odds of returning to power are slim.

    Last week, Gachagua faced a major setback when a three-judge bench, led by Justice Eric Ogola, refused to recuse themselves from his impeachment case.

    The judges, Freda Mugambi and Anthony Mrima, decided to continue hearing the case while allowing Gachagua to appeal their decision at the Court of Appeal.

    Gachagua New Party

    Gachagua Has A New Party? The List of MPs Allied To The Impeached DP

    Gachagua made strong arguments for the judges to step down, claiming that they were set up to overturn a previous ruling by a Kerugoya judge. The ruling had blocked the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki as deputy president.

    His lawyer, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, claimed the High Court might uphold the impeachment, but the higher courts would dismiss it as unconstitutional.

    Despite this, Gachagua’s team plans to prolong the case to gain political leverage against President William Ruto, who is seen as the architect of his impeachment.

    Political Maneuvering

    Aware of his precarious position, Gachagua is looking for a new political party with roots in Mt. Kenya. The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has begun the process of expelling him as their deputy leader.

    Gachagua has two parties in mind: The New Democrats Party, linked to tycoon Thuo Mathenge, and the Democratic Party of Kenya, founded by Mwai Kibaki in 1991.

    Once the impeachment process concludes, Gachagua plans to launch a new party, positioning allies in key roles. He will conduct tours in various constituencies to thank his supporters and promote his new political platform.

    Constituencies like Bobasi, where MP Innocent Obiri voted against his impeachment, will be key stops on his campaign.

    Gachagua’s audience will include several MPs who also voted “No” during the impeachment. He aims to consolidate support for these representatives in the upcoming 2027 elections.

    Impeached Gachagua Building Alliances Ahead of New Party

    To strengthen his political base, Gachagua is reaching out to former officials dismissed from Ruto’s government.

    His primary target is former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, who has openly criticized Ruto for his sacking. Linturi’s strong ties to Meru county could offer Gachagua a significant advantage in local politics.

    Gachagua is also courting other former cabinet members, including Susan Nakhumicha and Peninah Malonza.

    Nakhumicha, once a powerful figure in Ruto’s administration, expressed frustration over being sidelined by the government. If she joins Gachagua, she stands to secure a prominent role in his new party.

    Additionally, Gachagua is actively courting figures like Aisha Jumwa and Ezekiel Machogu, who Ruto also removed from their positions.

    He wants to unite these disgruntled leaders under a movement he plans to call “Ondoa Zakayo,” aimed at opposing Ruto’s leadership.

     The Road Ahead

    Gachagua plans to organize rallies featuring former officials dismissed by Ruto to bolster his argument against the current administration. He aims to rally support from Mt. Kenya voters, many of whom feel disillusioned with both Ruto and Kindiki.

    With a coalition of leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, former governor Ferdinand Waititu, and others, Gachagua hopes to replicate the success of the 2002 National Rainbow Coalition that ended KANU’s long rule.

    As he navigates this complex political terrain, Gachagua’s road to recovery in the political scene remains uncertain.

    By forging new alliances and rallying support from former allies, he aims to regain influence despite his impeachment. The coming months will be critical as he lays the groundwork for his political future amidst ongoing challenges.