It will not be business as usual for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua when he returns to Kenya next week, as a series of political challenges await him, including growing pressure on his influence in Mt Kenya, internal disputes within his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), and disagreements among opposition leaders over strategies for the 2027 General Election.

Gachagua, who left the country on August 26, completed his engagements with Kenyans living in the United States on October 9 before announcing a further 15-day political meeting at his ranch in Texas. During his stay, he toured Spokane, Portland, Kansas, Dallas and Boston.

Although his return date had remained uncertain, Gachagua said Kenyans were urging him to come back quickly because “the opposition fire is dying”.

His return comes as DCP faces questions over party discipline, candidate selection and its political direction, while differences have emerged among opposition leaders over coalition plans and the timing of selecting a joint presidential candidate.

Gachagua also faces a summons from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over remarks alleged to amount to hate speech, adding to the issues he will have to address after his return.

The challenges extend to Mt Kenya, where Naivasha MP Jane Kihara has alleged that the government is pursuing a five-part plan to weaken DCP’s influence in the region. Her claims, which have not been independently established, include promoting rival political parties, using tokenism, countering DCP’s messaging through anti-drug and illicit alcohol campaigns, increasing Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s presence in Mt Kenya West, and positioning Ndia MP George Kariuki as an alternative political leader.

The claims place Gachagua’s support in the region under scrutiny as he seeks to maintain his political influence ahead of the next General Election.

Gachagua was summoned to appear before the NCIC on August 27 over remarks the commission said could amount to hate speech. However, through Kiragu Wathuta & Company Advocates, he declined the summons in a letter dated August 20, citing a planned trip abroad from August 26 to October 20.

The commission cited remarks he allegedly made at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County on February 23, in Luanda, Vihiga County, on June 12, and during a tour of Meru between July 25 and 28.

The allegations relate to three separate engagements in different counties. Gachagua had expressed defiance over the matter, but it remains unclear whether he will appear before the commission after returning to Kenya or what action it might take if he fails to do so.

While he has been away, DCP has also faced internal disciplinary disputes, with decisions against some members and public disagreements raising questions about the party’s unity and leadership.

Gichugu MP aspirant Njeri Mbogo was suspended for 180 days over claims linking her to an incident in which protesting voters were filmed displaying women’s pants bearing the names of Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango and Woman Representative Njeri Maina.

Maina said a gubernatorial aspirant had mischievously procured the items to tarnish a rival.

DCP chairman of eminent persons Maina Kamanda has also alleged that government moles have infiltrated the party, warning that they would not receive nomination tickets even if they won.

Kamanda defended Murango, saying the senator had endured impeachment and persecution and had helped build DCP.

“There is no way we can betray such passion,” he said.

In Kiambu, youth leader Isaac Mungai was expelled from the party following a dispute with Senator Karungo Thang’wa and what appeared to be his support for Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

Mungai said he had accepted the decision but challenged Gachagua’s claim to command eight million votes. He argued that the party leader could count only his own vote and those of his wife and two children.

The party has also warned Nakuru Senator Tabitha Keroche against running parallel grassroots programmes and bypassing established branch structures.

Keroche defected from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance on October 9, 2026, and intends to vie for Nakuru governor. The DCP secretariat subsequently issued her a warning letter over the matter.

The disputes have placed party discipline and the management of local structures at the centre of questions over DCP’s readiness for the 2027 elections.

DCP’s finance committee says the party needs about Sh5 billion for nominations, adding urgency to decisions on nomination fees and the rules that will govern the process.

The party will have to address the concerns if it is to manage competition among aspirants and maintain confidence in its internal processes ahead of the elections.

Beyond the internal disputes, Gachagua must also determine how DCP will work with other opposition parties as they prepare for the 2027 General Election.

He has maintained that DCP is not ready for a formal coalition, arguing that it should first build its structures, expand its presence across counties, identify influential political principals and complete grassroots recruitment.