Rigathi Gachagua’s Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP) has denied viral reports claiming the party will officially be launched for their political vehicle was slated for June 25.
On Monday, June 23, reports were rife that Gachagua’s party intended to officially launch on June 25, a date which would effectively coincide with a planned nationwide protest in remembrance of youth killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Notably, social media influencers and bloggers have been slamming Gachagua and the DCP party for the alleged launch party, claiming June 25 was meant to focus on remembering the deceased victims of the extra-judicial killings.
However, the DCP, in a post on their official X social media handle, flagged the posters as fake, refuting the viral claims that June 25 was the date of their launch party amid public uproar.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (centre), his wife Dorcas Rigathi (left) and Nyandarua Senator Joe Methu (right) arriving for the launch of the Democracy for the Citizens Party at Lavington, Nairobi on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
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The clarification came at an opportune time, as the DCP party was battling a wave of criticism following the circulation of misleading posters which featured images of senior opposition figures, including Gachagua, Martha Karua, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, ex-Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Eugene Wamalwa, and Kalonzo Musyoka.
According to the fake posters, the event was allegedly set to take place at a lush venue, with South African opposition leader Julius Malema reportedly set to be in attendance.
The DCP Party’s initial launch was scheduled for June 3 2025, but was cancelled after Sports Kenya Acting Director General Gabriel Komora confirmed that the Kasarani Indoor Arena venue was unavailable. Gachagua’s party was subsequently advised to seek an alternative location for their event.
“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 Championship (CHAN 2025) to be hosted within the complex,” a letter from the Sports Kenya Acting Director read.
Since the cancellation, the DCP party revealed that the process to acquire a new venue was underway, and an official communication would be issued within the year.
As far as the June 25 protests are concerned, there is a wave of tension and uncertainty surrounding them, as activists and organisers remain adamant that the day should be considered a public holiday.
The government, through spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, however, insists June 25 is a normal working day and everyone should go about their business as usual.
With the protests set to take centre stage in Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja also spoke on the anticipated event by warning against chaos, while committing to protect peaceful protesters on the day.
A photo of Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for Citizens Party offices in Lavington, Nairobi on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
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