Former Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) chairperson Thuo Mathenge has officially joined the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by impeached ex-deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, following his dismissal from a government position.
President William Ruto revoked Mathenge's appointment as KALRO chairperson through a gazette notice published on July 24, 2026. The notice did not indicate a successor. Mathenge publicly described the removal as politically motivated, linking it to his support for Gachagua.
On July 30, Gachagua welcomed Mathenge into the DCP at his residence in Wamunyoro, emphasizing the party's growing influence in national politics. "He represents both the present and the future of our nation," Gachagua said, underlining the DCP's ambition to shape Kenya's political landscape.
Mathenge is reportedly seeking the Nyeri gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general election on a DCP ticket. His defection is viewed as a significant move in Gachagua's strategy to consolidate support in the Mount Kenya region, a key political battleground.
This development highlights a broader trend where some government appointees sympathetic to the opposition are stepping forward despite potential professional risks. Mathenge’s case is one of the more prominent examples of this shift, as he has openly accepted the consequences of his political stance.
