Blow To Gachagua In Plans To Launch DCP Party At Kasarani

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has been denied permission to host its official launch on June 3, 2025, at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.

According to Sports Kenya Acting Director General Gabriel Komora, the facility will not be made available for the highly anticipated launch owing to bookings made by sports teams beforehand.

Furthermore, Komora stated that no further bookings would be done for the facility due to preparations for the upcoming Championships for African Nations (CHAN) 2024, which will see the premises be used for the sports tournament.

"We are in receipt of your letter dated 20th May, 2025, requesting the use of the Sports Kenya facility to host the launch of the upcoming Democracy for the Citizen Party," the statement read in part.

Photo of the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi. /UZAMART

"We regret to inform you that the venue will not be available due to prior bookings by sports teams. We are also not taking further bookings due to preparations for the upcoming Championships for African Nations (CHAN 2025) to be hosted within the complex."

Komora advised the DCP party to consider looking for an alternative venue. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and we take this opportunity to thank you for your request to utilise the facility."

These developments follow a formal request from DCP Secretary General Hezron Obaga, who wrote to the manager of the Kasarani Stadium Complex to reserve the venue for the launch.

In the letter, Obaga stated that the event is anticipated to draw around 5,000 people, including DCP party members, invited guests, supporters, and members of the media.

“I am writing to formally request to book the Kasarani Stadium Gymnasium for our official party launch event, scheduled for Tuesday, 3rd June 2025, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

“The event is expected to host approximately 5,000 attendees, including party members, supporters, invited guests, and members of the press. We plan to use the facility for speeches, performances, and interactive sessions aimed at unveiling our vision, manifesto, and leadership to the Kenyan public,” the letter read in part.

In response, the Kasarani Stadium Complex management stated that the total cost of hosting the event would amount to Ksh 3.7 million.

The use of the indoor arena alone will cost the DCP party Ksh 1,392,000. Other expenses include charges for branding, catering, the presidential and VIP suites, kitchenette rental, cleaning services, exhibition space, live broadcast, and floodlight operation.

Gachagua officially launched the DCP Party on Thursday, May 15. With the slogan Skiza Wakenya, the party’s identity features neon green and white as its official colours, and its symbol is a listening ear.

The party's interim leadership includes Cleophas Malala as deputy party leader, Mithika Linturi as national organising secretary, and Cate Waruguru as national women's leader.

The DCP party is headquartered on Musa Gitau Road in Lavington, Nairobi. It bears the official colours of green, brown, and black, and its logo depicts a hand reaching toward an ear.

"I made a promise to you that in the month of May, I would unveil a new political party whose philosophy resonates with you. As you all know, I'm a truthful and honest man; I keep my promises," Gachagua stated at the launch, adding, "We finally have a political party that belongs to all of us, where every Kenyan is treated equally."

Framing DCP as a people-centred political movement, Gachagua emphasised the party’s central value: authentic and continuous dialogue between leaders and the public. He also assured that under the party’s leadership, no Kenyan would ever feel neglected or excluded.

A photo of Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party offices in Lavington, Nairobi, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. /X