Badilisha follows Kang'ata, ditches UDA for DCP

By Newsflash Reporter

Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha has become the second governor from the Mt Kenya region to abandon the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), in another major political blow to President William Ruto’s party.

Badilisha announced his defection on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, when he led a delegation of more than 20 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Nyandarua and Laikipia to Gachagua’s Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri.

The delegation was led by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, both key allies of Gachagua.

The governor’s move comes just five days after Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata also quit UDA and joined DCP, signalling growing support for the opposition party across the Mt Kenya region.

Ol Kalou victory fuels momentum

Badilisha’s defection follows DCP’s emphatic victory in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election held on July 16, 2026, where the party’s candidate, Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, comfortably defeated UDA’s Samuel Muchina to become the constituency’s new Member of Parliament.

Speaking after formally joining DCP, Badilisha said his decision had been made long before Wednesday’s public announcement.

“We joined the party long ago. We were just waiting for the right moment, which has come,” said the governor.

He described Nyandarua as the “cradleland of the Mau Mau” and hinted that more political leaders were preparing to leave UDA.

“There are others who are willing to join the party,” he said.

Gachagua welcomes governor

Welcoming the governor and his delegation, Gachagua described the move as another significant milestone in DCP’s expansion ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“I am delighted to receive Governor Kiarie Badilisha of Nyandarua County and the entire County Assembly into the DCP Party,” he said.

Gachagua said the governor and the MCAs had pledged to defend their elective seats on DCP tickets and would participate in the party’s nominations next year.

“They have assured me that they will defend their seats on DCP Party tickets, and they shall form part of the aspirants in the party primaries next year. I have assured them that the party primaries will be free and fair,” he said.

The former Deputy President added that the Nyandarua delegation had brought a message of goodwill from residents of the county and shared DCP’s vision of what he termed the “liberation of Kenya.”

“The people of Nyandarua County, led by their Governor, have brought a message of goodwill from the people of Nyandarua County. They are answering the call for the liberation of Kenya. To them, the future is green,” Gachagua said.

He further claimed that the “mass exodus from unpopular parties, notably the infamous UDA, continues,” expressing confidence that DCP would continue attracting more leaders as the country heads towards the 2027 polls.