Nakuru: DCP Leaders Nearly Engage in Physical Fight Over Top Positions Ahead of Launch

• In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, a DCP leader in Nakuru explained the reason that nearly led him to exchange blows with another official
• He discussed the origin of the fights and his position despite the pressure from other party branch officials
• The DCP party secretary explained their actions after the conflict and emphasised healthy competition ahead of the party's launch

Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Nakuru: Leaders allied to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) came close to a physical confrontation during a meeting of aspirants, highlighting intense competition for key positions ahead of the party’s official launch.

The confrontation occurred a few days ago after some leaders clashed over attempts to appoint one of them to occupy a top leadership position in the county.

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Which DCP leaders nearly fought over positions?

The incident occurred at the Milimani office, where two leaders, Kariko Mwangi and Hezron Manyara, nearly engaged in a fistfight over leadership positions, prompting intervention from other leaders present.

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, Kariko said some leaders confronted him over his alleged interest in the position of the party’s county coordinator, which is currently occupied.

“We had concluded the meeting well when this individual came to me and confronted me about why I am eying the position of the coordinator. I have never said that I have an interest in the position,” he said.

He added that during the vetting of aspirants, most had expressed a desire for him to take up the position of county chairman to provide leadership.

Mwangi said they had been raising concerns over the transparency and accountability of resources within the leadership, which some leaders have not taken lightly.

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Were DCP leaders' in fights resolved?

DCP Nakuru county secretary Simon Ole Nasieku described the incident as unfortunate but said it was resolved amicably.

“There was a disagreement between a few elderly individuals about some issues in the party, but I can assure you the matter was resolved amicably. It’s about healthy competition for leadership in the party,” he said.

He added that he will remain neutral in the political manoeuvring to steer party affairs without bias.

Earlier this month, Nasieku expressed concern over some individuals in the county who were allegedly plotting to dethrone him and install another individual from Mt. Kenya.

The party has faced teething problems in the county over the last few months, with leaders and prospective candidates taking their disputes to social media, blaming each other for mismanagement of party affairs.

Rigathi Gachagua's supporters, goons clash

In other news, on Thursday, August 21, a tense moment unfolded when Gachagua's supporters and armed goons who hurled stones at his motorcade clashed.

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The incident occurred as Gachagua travelled along Mombasa Road toward Nairobi City Centre, following his arrival at JKIA from the United States.

Some of the DCP leader's supporters retaliated, prompting the police on standby to intervene and disperse the crowd with tear gas.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke