Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), is facing growing frustration within his political camp as reports emerge that his operations have stalled due to a lack of funding. Sources inside the party say the once-vibrant mobilization machinery has gone quiet after aspirants — including MPs, Senators, and Governor hopefuls — stopped remitting their Ksh 1 million monthly contributions, money that was meant to keep the former DP active on the ground.
According to party insiders, the initial agreement was that aspirants seeking the DCP ticket for 2027 would contribute Ksh 1 million every month to support Gachagua’s countrywide tours, publicity, and grassroots mobilization. In return, Gachagua would help popularize their names in their regions and build the party’s visibility. But the plan appears to have collapsed midway.
One DCP National Party Official, who requested anonymity, admitted that the party is struggling to stay afloat.
“We have no resources to run the party at the moment. The truth is, we depended on the monthly contributions from aspirants to fund logistics and outreach. Once they stopped paying, everything came to a standstill,” he said.
Another senior party official confirmed that several aspirants have withdrawn their support, citing lack of transparency and accountability.
“Some members feel the money they contributed was not used as promised. There is growing mistrust,” the official added.
A governor aspirant from Mt. Kenya who claims to have already paid Ksh 4 million expressed deep disappointment.
“I stopped contributing because, despite paying four million so far, Gachagua has never visited my county. We were told he would help us gain visibility, but nothing is happening. They are just milking us,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, insiders claim that United Opposition presidential hopefuls who were asked to remit Ksh 10 million each per month have also refused, terming Gachagua’s demands unrealistic.
Observers say the infighting and financial paralysis paint a picture of a political outfit in decline. Once billed as a potential third-force platform, the DCP now appears directionless and broke.
A senior party strategist summed it up bluntly:
“Politics needs fuel — and fuel is money. Without it, even the loudest engine goes silent. Gachagua’s machine has officially stalled.”
