Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has spoken about the frenzy the symbol of his newly launched party caused in his village on Thursday, May 15.

Gachagua led his loyalists in unveiling the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), with which he will politick in the leadup to the 2027 General Election.

The party, which adopted green, black and brown as its theme colours, bears the symbol of a hand holding an ear, denoting the party's motto of "Skiza Wakenya" (listen to Kenyans).

However, the ear left many confused due to the unclear artwork done on it.

Gachagua revealed that his supporters could not tell whether the ear was the left or right one, sparking a debate that culminated in a "friendly fight".

"On the afternoon of the unveiling of our party, Democracy for the Citizens Party, yesterday in Nairobi, there was a fiery debate and a friendly fight in my Wamunyoro village. The villagers couldn't agree whether the party symbol is expressed by touching the left or right ear," Gachagua said.

He shared that he was summoned by the elders, who sought to have the matter solved to end the disquiet that was building up.

Depicting himself as a humble leader who takes counsel seriously, Gachagua said he heeded the summons and had an audience with the elders to clarify the symbol of the party.

He hosted them at his residence and explained to them the doctrine of the party as symbolised by the ear, hence putting the matter to rest.

"The elders, afraid of further escalation into the weekend, summoned me at night on a diplomatic mission and clarification. In the esteem I hold my elders and the listening philosophy of our party, I have this morning, in the company of Hon. Njeri Maina and Hon. Mathenge, met the representatives of the village and clarified that it is the right EAR," Gachagua said.

Gachagua said the party will be officially launched in a ceremonial fete scheduled on June 4.

Meanwhile, DCP's unveiling would not go without a blemish, as accusations came up that the new party aped the now-defunct Amani National Congress (ANC) party.

While it existed, the ANC party had its acronym "ANC" enclosed within a green laurel wreath, incorporating shades of brown in its design.

The same colours have been seen with DCP.

According to Omulo Junior, a former official of ANC, Gachagua lifted ANC's branding and colours, modifying them to present as his own concept in the new party.

Omulo, currently serving as the director of devolution and county affairs in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, criticised Gachagua’s camp for lacking originality in establishing a significant and unique political party.

The UDA official further dismissed the core principles that DCP claims to uphold, asserting that the party was hastily formed as a tool of retaliation against President William Ruto regarding the 2024 impeachment of Gachagua.

The ANC party was dissolved in January this year to merge with the UDA party.

Source: TUKO.co.ke