Gachagua launches global fundraising drive for 2027 war chest
Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has announced plans to embark on fundraising trips to the United Kingdom and the United States as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Gachagua said the overseas engagements are aimed at mobilising financial resources and building support networks to bridge what he described as a significant funding gap ahead of the polls.
According to the former Deputy President, the party estimates that its nomination exercise alone will cost approximately Sh2billion, with half of the amount expected to come from nomination fees while the remaining balance will be sourced externally.
“I have looked at your budget, the whole election process is about Sh2billion. From the nomination fees, we’ll be able to raise KSh 1 billion, and the party will look for another one billion,” Gachagua stated.
He said the planned foreign trips are directly linked to the party’s fundraising efforts.
“This is why I will leave for the United Kingdom on Friday night. Thereafter, I will come back then go to the United States again to talk to our friends and partners. We must put money together for elections; we cannot afford to fail,” he said.
Gachagua noted that the DCP is already witnessing growing interest from aspirants seeking elective positions across the country, adding that the party’s nomination process is expected to be highly competitive.
“The DCP ticket will be the most sought after. The DCP nominations will be a do-or-die situation. It will be like the real general election,” he remarked.
He directed the party’s National Elections Board to begin early logistical preparations for the nominations, including acquisition of ballot boxes, indelible ink and election management systems.
“The English say, failing to plan is planning to fail. Start preparing, start getting the ballot boxes, start getting the indelible ink, start putting together all the logistics,” he advised.
Gachagua also praised the party’s recent nominations in Ol Kalou, describing the exercise as a benchmark for credible and organised internal elections.
“The whole country is talking about the DCP nominations in Ol Kalou. I may be biased because I’m the party leader, but the truth of the matter is that there has never been such well-organised and credible nominations since the advent of multi-partyism in 1992,” he said.
He further lauded the quality of candidates being fronted by the party, citing the Ol Kalou candidate as an example.
“I am happy with the quality of candidate DCP is presenting to people of Ol Kalou. He is a graduate of Agricultural Economics from the University of Nairobi. He contested in 2022 and got 19,000 votes,” he said.
Gachagua added that the nominations had provided a “litmus test” for the party’s preparedness ahead of the 2027 elections, especially in handling competitive political contests.
On voter mobilisation, the DCP leader expressed confidence in achieving a high voter turnout, saying it would be key to the party’s success in the next election.
“I am looking at a situation where I am persuading the people of Kenya, we must have a 98 per cent voter turnout to make sure we win,” he stated.
The latest announcement comes months after Gachagua cut short a two-month tour of the United States in August 2025 to return to Kenya and participate in preparations for the Mbeere North by-election.
In that contest, DCP withdrew its candidate in favour of a Democratic Party aspirant from an allied opposition outfit. However, the opposition lost narrowly to UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende, who is now the Mbeere North MP.
Political focus is now shifting to the forthcoming by-elections in Emurua Dikirr and Ol Kalou, where DCP has intensified early campaigns following the deaths of former area MPs Johana Ng’eno and David Kiaraho respectively.
