Gachagua Appoints Senator John Methu as DCP Secretary General

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has been appointed Secretary General designate of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), replacing Hezron Obaga in a leadership reshuffle announced by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday.

Speaking at the party’s Nairobi headquarters, Gachagua said Methu would immediately take over as the party spokesperson and serve as secretary general pending formal registration by the Registrar of Political Parties.

“Senator John Methu, for all practical purposes, is a member of DCP, and he will start acting from today as the secretary general designate and be the spokesman of the DCP party on all matters starting today,” Gachagua said.

Methu’s first assignment will be to lead DCP’s campaign in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for 16 July. The seat fell vacant following the death of MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.

DCP has nominated former MCA Sammy Ngotho as its candidate after he won the party primaries with 12,957 votes against Paul Waiganjo’s 4,978. Gachagua described the by-election as an important test of the party’s strength and organisation.

The party has also tasked Methu with overseeing a nationwide recruitment drive aimed at registering 10 million members ahead of the 2027 General Election. Gachagua said DCP had already attracted more than 4 million members and over 10,000 aspirants seeking to contest on the party ticket. He added that the party would conduct transparent nominations ahead of the elections.

Several other appointments were announced during the briefing. Lawyer Edgar Busiega was named Secretary for Information and Technology, Leonard Cheruyoit was appointed Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Abdi Noor Mohamed became Chairperson of the County Coordinating Committee, and Wilson Kanyago Ndung’u was appointed Chairperson of the Students’ Caucus.

Methu’s appointment could raise legal questions because he was elected to the Senate under the UDA party. Gachagua said the party’s legal team was prepared to handle any challenges that may arise. Methu defended the move, saying there were precedents of politicians taking up roles in other parties while remaining in office.

The removal of Obaga, a founding member of DCP, was not explained during the briefing. He had served as secretary general since the party was formed in May 2025.

The changes in DCP leadership come as the party seeks to strengthen its structures and expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections.