Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua hosted members of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) diaspora chapter for a Christmas meeting, using the gathering to project growing momentum for his new political outfit at home and abroad as Kenya edges toward the 2027 elections.
In a statement after the meeting, Gachagua said the visit was both a show of appreciation and a strategy session with Kenyans living and working overseas, whom he described as a critical constituency in shaping the country’s political future. He thanked the diaspora team for hosting him during his visits to the United States in July and August, saying the engagements there had strengthened his connection with Kenyans abroad.
“I spent a great day with the DCP Party Diaspora Chapter as I hosted them for Christmas,” Gachagua said, noting that the discussions focused on the party’s expansion, messaging and organisation beyond Kenya’s borders.
According to Gachagua, the diaspora leaders briefed him on the rapid growth of DCP chapters across different regions of the world, reflecting what he termed rising interest in the party’s platform among Kenyans frustrated with the political status quo. He, in turn, outlined what he called the party’s recent successes at home, pointing to wins in by-elections in Kakamega, Narok and Nairobi City County as evidence that DCP was gaining traction on the ground.
The former deputy president said the by-election results demonstrated that the party’s message was resonating with voters, particularly in urban areas and regions traditionally dominated by larger, established parties. Allies see the wins as an early test of DCP’s ability to compete nationally, barely months after its launch.
The meeting also touched on plans to deepen the party’s international footprint. Gachagua said the diaspora team briefed him on arrangements for visits to other continents next year, during which he is expected to open satellite offices and popularise DCP among Kenyans living and working abroad.
Diaspora engagement has increasingly become a key political battleground, with parties viewing overseas Kenyans as influential voices in funding, advocacy and shaping narratives back home. While diaspora voting remains limited, political analysts note that organised diaspora networks can amplify campaign messages and influence opinion within families and communities in Kenya.
Since his impeachment and removal from office, Gachagua has sought to recast himself as a grassroots political figure, positioning DCP as an alternative to both the ruling establishment and traditional opposition parties. His outreach to the diaspora, coupled with a focus on by-elections, suggests a deliberate effort to build structures early ahead of 2027.
