Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chairs the inaugural NEC meeting on June 3, 2025, at party headquarters. PHOTO/X/DCP.The
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, held its first
National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and announced that its official
launch will take place this month.
The meeting, held at the party’s headquarters in Lavington, was chaired by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is also the party leader.
Addressing the press after the NEC meeting, Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala said the venue for the party launch will be announced soon.
He revealed that the NEC had established a technical committee to assess all the venues offered to the party and select the most suitable one to host what he projected to be nearly 50,000 DCP supporters.
“We had a variety of agenda items in our inaugural meeting, and among them was the party launch. As you all know, we were supposed to launch our party at Kasarani on June 3, 2025, but we were denied the venue,” Malala said.
“However, we want to take this opportunity to inform our membership that we have resolved to launch the party within this month. We are currently identifying an alternative venue, which will be communicated in due course.”
Malala added that the NEC had established party structures following the DCP constitution, including the formation of an aspirants’ forum to bring together all those seeking elective positions in 2027.
"We have resolved that all counties in Kenya will form their own aspirants’ forums, which will eventually culminate in a national membership drive,” he said.
He further noted that the NEC had sanctioned any unauthorised opening of party offices across the country, stating that such activities must be coordinated by the party secretariat under the Secretary General.
“Since unveiling our party, we’ve seen several individuals opening offices everywhere. NEC has decided that we will not allow any aspirant to open party offices without official clearance,” he stated.
The DCP launch was initially scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at Kasarani Stadium but was called off due to venue unavailability.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 2, former KICC board chair Irungu Nyakera confirmed that the change resulted from being denied access to the stadium.
However, he assured supporters that new dates and a venue would be announced soon, emphasising that the setback would not derail their ambitions.
"The DCP party launch that was to be held on Thika Road has been called off, pending confirmation of a new venue and date," Nyakera stated.
"But let it be known that you can deny us a venue, but you cannot deny us our voice. We will rise."
Gachagua had earlier indicated in a formal booking letter that the launch would take place at Kasarani Stadium’s gymnasium.
The party had sought to reserve the facility for Sh3.7 million for an event that would include speeches, performances, and interactive sessions aimed at unveiling its vision, manifesto, and leadership.
The letter projected about 5,000 attendees, including party members, supporters, guests, and media representatives.
"I am writing to formally request to book the Kasarani Stadium Gymnasium for our official party launch event, scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," the letter read in part.
However, on May 28, Sports Kenya Director-General Gabriel Komora notified the party that the venue would not be available due to prior bookings and preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025.
“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 African Nations Championship (CHAN),” Komora wrote.
“Kindly consider looking for an alternative venue. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and we thank you for your interest in using the facility.”
