Fresh controversy is brewing within the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) after party leader Rigathi Gachagua issued what aspirants are describing as unrealistic and punitive instructions ahead of the 2027 political season.
Party aspirants have been directed to register at least 5,000 party members each, failure to which they risk being dropped from the party’s ticket list. Each registration card costs Kshs. 100, and aspirants must first pay Kshs. 50,000 to acquire the 5,000 cards needed to enlist members.
The directive has sparked outrage among aspirants, many of whom argue that the demands are detached from the economic reality on the ground. They point out the contradiction in Gachagua’s frequent public claims that Kenyans have no money, yet the same financially strained citizens are now expected to raise funds to join the party.
“This doesn’t add up,” said one aspirant, speaking anonymously. “You can’t tell Kenyans they are broke and then turn around and demand cash-heavy political targets from them.”
Concerns have also been raised about the party’s appeal in the Mt Kenya region. Several aspirants say residents are hesitant to register with DCP due to what they describe as a lack of a clear ideological agenda. Others claim voters increasingly view Gachagua as divisive and, in some cases, “worse than President William Ruto,” making mobilization even harder.
Aspirants further accuse the party leadership of treating them as “cash cows”, arguing that the registration exercise appears more focused on revenue collection than grassroots political organizing. With over 1,000 aspirants affected by the directive, critics estimate the party could raise at least Kshs. 5 million from the exercise.
The pressure has been heightened by a strict deadline, with aspirants instructed to collect the registration cards by 23rd December, leaving little room for negotiation or logistical planning.
This latest standoff follows an earlier rebellion in which aspirants reportedly boycotted a forced contribution meant to finance Gachagua’s Christmas party at his rural home—an incident that already exposed growing discontent within DCP ranks.
As frustrations mount, political observers warn that such demands risk alienating aspirants and supporters alike, potentially weakening the party before it even consolidates its base. Whether the leadership will review the directive or push ahead regardless remains to be seen.
