Tension is building in former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s political camp after county aspirants were asked to contribute funds for his upcoming two-month trip to the United States, expected to cost around Kshs 50 million.
Sources close to the party say Gachagua wants each county team to raise at least Kshs 5 million, with governors-in-waiting asked to lead fundraising efforts and coordinate with other aspirants. The money, according to Gachagua, will help him mobilize diaspora support and raise resources for the party.
But not everyone is buying it.
Several aspirants who spoke to this paper on condition of anonymity say they feel used and misled.
“We are tired. We contributed money for a party launch that never happened. We were told to pay for campaign merchandise — we’ve never seen even a T-shirt,” said a Senate aspirant from Mt. Kenya.
“Now we’re being asked to finance a luxury trip to America. Who exactly is this helping? Because the ground is dry,” another MCA hopeful remarked.
Party insiders also complained of lack of transparency and accountability, claiming that Gachagua prefers handling funds personally and rarely consults the wider team.
“It feels like we’re in a one-man show. We only hear about plans when money is needed,” an insider noted.
The growing frustration has sparked fears of division in the party, with some questioning whether Gachagua’s leadership is genuine or self-serving.
While Gachagua maintains the trip will “open doors for the party,” critics say the ATM-style fundraising must stop — or risk sinking the entire movement before it even takes off.
