Koimburi dumps Gachagua for Ruto, terms DCP “thuggish”

By Newsflash Writer

Juja MP George Koimburi has dramatically severed ties with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, announcing his exit from the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and declaring his intention to work with President William Ruto’s administration.

In a scathing address on Thursday, January 14, Koimburi branded DCP a “thuggish” and “exploitative” outfit that sidelines loyal members in favour of moneyed newcomers.

Once considered one of Gachagua’s most vocal allies, Koimburi accused the party of abandoning its founding supporters and turning politics into a cash-for-favours enterprise, particularly in Kiambu County.

“Party of thugs”

Koimburi warned politicians against joining DCP, claiming it had hatched “very evil schemes” against him despite his long-standing loyalty. He alleged that individuals with financial muscle were being elevated within the party, while those who had endured political hardship were pushed aside.

“On Sunday, you all saw that after being a diehard supporter of Rigathi Gachagua and the DCP party, those coming after us are giving out Sh5 million and are regarded as party veterans,” Koimburi said. “Those who stood with the party are sidelined.”

He accused DCP leaders of taking money from aspirants in exchange for promises of nomination tickets, describing the practice as a betrayal of grassroots supporters. According to Koimburi, the party had shown its “thuggish ways” most clearly in Kiambu, where he claims internal democracy has been replaced by intimidation and monetisation of politics.

“I have declared DCP a party of thugs,” he said, adding that the leadership ignored his sacrifices while allegedly endorsing other candidates behind his back.

Fallout over Juja politics

Koimburi cited the alleged imposition of Aloys Kinyanjui as the DCP candidate for Juja as the final straw. He said meetings were held in Kimbo to advance the move despite the leadership being fully aware of his unwavering support for Gachagua, including during the former deputy president’s impeachment battles.

“You brought Aloys and said he is the one who will be the DCP candidate in Juja,” Koimburi charged. “I have suffered because of you, faced court cases for standing with you, but a time has come for us to part ways.”

He also took a swipe at Gachagua’s increasingly combative political style, mocking his use of bulletproof gear and framing it as a symbol of confrontational politics. Koimburi said Kenya’s problems would not be solved through intimidation or warlike posturing.

“You can’t follow a person with bulletproof outfits to go to war with him,” he said. “I don’t have bulletproof outfits, neither do the people of Juja. Kenya needs peace, unity, and reconciliation of the Mt Kenya people so that they can vote in one basket.”

Turning to Ruto for development

In a clear pivot, Koimburi said his decision to work with President Ruto was driven by development needs rather than political inducements. He claimed that Juja Constituency had been denied key development projects because of his association with Gachagua, and vowed to reclaim what he termed “lost opportunities” by engaging the government.

“After standing with Rigathi Gachagua, Juja was denied development projects,” he said. “Now it is time for me to go and get development projects from President William Ruto. When the time for politics comes, we shall go to the political field.”

Koimburi was emphatic that he had not been bribed to switch sides, insisting he could not be bought politically. “Even if President Ruto were to buy people politically, I, George Koimburi, cannot be bought,” he said, adding that if he ever received money, he would openly declare it and share it with Juja residents.

Koimburi now joins a growing list of former Gachagua allies who have distanced themselves from him, including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri, underscoring widening cracks within the former deputy president’s political camp.