Discontent is mounting within the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) after reports emerged that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua allegedly ordered aspirants and Members of Parliament to contribute KSh 400,000 each to fund the upcoming Mbeere North by-election.
According to sources who attended a Saturday meeting at the DCP headquarters, Gachagua reportedly instructed all party aspirants to “adopt” polling streams in Mbeere North and personally contribute money to support a United Opposition candidate. The directive, insiders say, was delivered in a firm tone that left little room for negotiation.
Multiple aspirants have since expressed frustration, accusing Gachagua of turning the party into a platform for financial extortion rather than democratic participation. “We were told to pick polling stations and pay KSh 400,000 each. Some were even assigned two or three depending on how much they could afford,” said one disgruntled aspirant who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It feels like we are being turned into ATMs. Every political event now comes with a price tag.”
The meeting reportedly grew tense as Gachagua allegedly allocated more polling streams to individuals based on their financial muscle — what he referred to as “the weight of their pocket.” This, according to several attendees, created discomfort among aspirants who felt coerced into contributing beyond their means.
With 134 polling stations in Mbeere North and about 55,124 registered voters across Evurore, Nthawa, and Muminji wards, the contributions could collectively raise an estimated KSh 54 million. Sources revealed that aspirants were instructed to deliver their payments in cash by Monday, November 18, 2025, further raising eyebrows over transparency and accountability.
“We were told to bring cash — no bank transfers, no receipts, no official records,” another aspirant complained. “That kind of demand raises many questions. We’re being asked to fund a candidate we didn’t even help nominate, and yet there’s no clear record of where the money is going.”
A senior DCP official, however, defended the exercise, arguing that the contributions were voluntary and aimed at strengthening the United Opposition Movement. “The funds are meant to support campaign operations at polling stations. Everyone who believes in the cause should help push it forward,” the official stated.
Still, the directive has exposed deep cracks within DCP, with growing murmurs that Gachagua’s leadership style is increasingly coercive, opaque, and transactional. Party insiders now say morale is low, with many aspirants questioning whether loyalty in DCP is determined by political conviction or financial capacity.
One MP summed up the mood bluntly: “It’s no longer about democracy — it’s about how deep your pockets are. And that’s not the kind of politics Kenyans want to keep funding.”
