Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is expected back in Kenya next week after a lengthy tour of the United States, and a heavy political in-tray awaits him. His Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) is dealing with disciplinary fights and nomination disputes. He also faces an unresolved summons from the national cohesion commission, and his allies say he is under growing pressure in his Mt Kenya base.

Gachagua left the country on August 26 and wrapped up his engagements with Kenyans in the diaspora on October 9, the Nation reported on Sunday. The tour took him to Spokane, Portland, Kansas, Dallas and Boston. He then announced a further 15-day political retreat at his ranch in Texas. He has not given an exact date for his return, but he has said supporters at home want him back quickly because, in his words, "the opposition fire is dying."

NCIC summons still pending

One of the first questions he will face is whether he will honour a summons from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). The commission had asked him to appear on August 27 over remarks it said could amount to hate speech. It cited speeches allegedly made at Gusii Stadium in Kisii on February 23, in Luanda, Vihiga County, on June 12, and during a tour of Meru between July 25 and 28.

In a letter dated August 20, sent through Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, Gachagua declined to appear, citing a planned trip abroad running from August 26 to October 20. Both the Nation and The Eastleigh Voice report that it is unclear whether he will appear before the commission once he is back, or what it will do if he does not.

Discipline and nomination fights inside DCP

Back home, the party has taken several disciplinary decisions in his absence. Gichugu parliamentary aspirant Njeri Mbogo was suspended for 180 days over claims linked to a video in which protesting voters held up women's undergarments bearing the names of Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango and Woman Representative Njeri Maina. Maina has said a gubernatorial aspirant procured the items to tarnish a rival.

Kiambu youth leader Isaac Mungai was expelled after a dispute with Senator Karungo Thang'wa and reports that he was backing Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. Mungai accepted the decision but questioned Gachagua's claim that he commands eight million votes. The party has also warned Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja, who left the ruling UDA on October 9 and wants to run for governor, against running parallel grassroots programmes outside branch structures.

Maina Kamanda, who chairs the party's council of eminent persons, has claimed that government "moles" have infiltrated DCP. He said they would not get nomination tickets even if they won primaries.

Some aspirants are unhappy about the nomination process itself. They say they are being asked to prepare for primaries and pay fees while senior figures appear to favour certain candidates. Gachagua is under pressure to stop early endorsements and publish neutral rules. The party's finance committee estimates it needs about Sh5 billion to run nominations.

Claims of a plot in Mt Kenya

Naivasha MP Jane Kihara has alleged a five-part government plan to weaken DCP in the region. She says it involves promoting rival parties, tokenism, using anti-drug and illicit alcohol campaigns to drown out the party's message, raising Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's profile in Mt Kenya West, and building up Ndia MP George Kariuki as an alternative leader. Both outlets note that her claims have not been independently established.

Opposition split over timing

Gachagua also returns to a disagreement within the United Opposition over when to name a joint presidential candidate. He wants the flagbearer unveiled in May 2027, arguing that an earlier announcement would make the nominee a target for President William Ruto. Kalonzo Musyoka, Babu Owino, Cleophas Malala and Justin Muturi want an immediate announcement, saying the delay is hurting mobilisation, the Nation reported. Gachagua has also said DCP is not yet ready for a formal coalition and should first finish building its structures.

DCP secretary-designate John Methu has played down the troubles as normal in competitive politics. He pointed to Gachagua's comeback after his 2024 impeachment and said the party leader would return ready to deal with whatever happened while he was away.

Photos: Rigathi Gachagua at DCP offices in Nairobi (Francis Nderitu/Nation Media Group); Gachagua addressing Kenyans in Boston on October 4, 2026 (X/Rigathi Gachagua via The Eastleigh Voice).