How TND Party is Disrupting Mt. Kenya Politics — and Why Gachagua’s DCP is worried

In the quiet hills of Nyeri County, a political storm is gathering force — and it’s shaking the very foundation of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s influence in the Mt. Kenya region.

The cause? A rising political outfit known as The New Democrats (TND), led by billionaire philanthropist and seasoned politician Dr. Thuo Mathenge, also popularly known as Wanguku.

While Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has long been considered his fallback plan in the shifting tides of national politics, it is now facing unexpected — and increasingly fierce — competition from TND, which has launched an aggressive grassroots campaign.

“TND is not just another party. It’s a bridge for all Kenyans — Daraja la Wakenya. We are inclusive, open to all, and built on the foundation of fairness,” Dr. Thuo told Newsline in an exclusive interview.

“Our nominations will be transparent. Everyone will have a chance to rise based on merit, not political connections.”

Analysts argue that what makes the rivalry more intense is that both leaders hail from Nyeri County.
But while Gachagua rose through the national ranks to become Deputy President, Thuo Mathenge has remained deeply rooted in local politics, with extensive business interests and a reputation for development-focused leadership.

TND’s aggressive membership drive, using the shortcode 509#, is gaining momentum — especially among young people, disenfranchised voters, and grassroots aspirants who feel locked out by mainstream political parties.

In contrast, DCP remains relatively inactive at the local level, relying heavily on Gachagua’s name recognition.

According to political analyst Jane Mungai , TND is disrupting traditional political alignments in Mt. Kenya.

“DCP assumed dominance just because Gachagua is a national figure. But in reality, politics is local. TND is holding meetings in the villages, onboarding youth, and giving a platform to new leaders. That’s what DCP isn’t doing — and it’s hurting them,” Mungai said.

Another analyst, Jane Wambui, pointed to the inclusivity of TND as a major factor.

“Thuo Mathenge is not running a one-man show. He’s building a team. His party speaks the language of fairness and opportunity, especially for young leaders and women. That’s a serious headache for Gachagua, whose political brand is increasingly seen as elitist and top-down,” she noted.

Insiders suggest that Gachagua had quietly positioned DCP as a political vehicle for the 2027 elections — should relations within the Kenya Kwanza coalition sour.

However, with TND rapidly establishing itself in constituencies across Central Kenya, DCP’s relevance is now in question.

A ward-level DCP official, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted:

“We underestimated TND. People dismissed Thuo as just a businessman. But his structure is solid. He’s on the ground while we’re still in boardrooms.”