Cherargei dismisses Gachagua’s new party, says Ruto firmly in control

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei speaking in Eldoret on May 16, 2025./MATHEWS NDANYI

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has dismissed the newly launched Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying it carries no political weight.

Speaking in Eldoret, Cherargei said the DCP had started off on the wrong note by presenting itself as a party representing only one region, and insisted it posed no threat to President William Ruto’s political dominance.

“DCP is like the majority of political parties in this country—tribal and built around individuals. It has no capacity whatsoever to shake President Ruto’s political base,” he said.

Cherargei accused Gachagua and his allies of stoking tribal divisions and misleading Kenyans, adding that the President remains politically strong in Mt Kenya and across the country.

He also questioned how DCP had been registered as a political party, claiming it does not meet the legal requirement of having functional offices in at least 25 counties.

“Only ODM and UDA meet that requirement. We will be demanding that the registrar of political parties deregister all non-compliant outfits,” Cherargei said.

He criticised calls for President Ruto’s removal from office, reiterating that the Head of State will complete his term and likely secure re-election.

“They say Ruto must go, but our message is clear—Ruto must go to State House, or rather, Ruto must continue. That’s ‘Kumi bila break’,” he said, referring to the President’s goal of serving two terms.

Cherargei dismissed opposition leaders, including those allied to Gachagua, as having had their turn in government without delivering results.

“Unless they’re from Jerusalem, they’re the same people who failed to improve the country before. They have nothing new to offer,” he added.

The senator defended President Ruto’s development record, citing ongoing affordable housing projects, infrastructure improvements, and the subsidised fertiliser programme as key achievements.

“These projects are changing lives. Farmers are producing more, and development is visible across the country,” he said.

Cherargei concluded by expressing confidence that President Ruto would win re-election with ease, crediting his administration’s focus on transformative programmes.

“Ruto will be back in State House—and he’ll be back early,” he said