DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua addresses the media at the party’s offices in Nairobi on August 11, 2026.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has outlined what he says would be the priorities of a United Opposition government during its first 100 days in office, promising to tackle corruption, restore public confidence in institutions and reverse what he describes as State capture.
Speaking to Kenyans in Spokane and Pullman, Washington, in the United States, Mr Gachagua said the next administration would inherit a difficult economic situation, including public debt exceeding Sh13 trillion, pending bills of about Sh800 billion and sluggish economic growth.
He said the government’s initial focus would therefore be reforms that require political goodwill rather than significant financial resources.
“The country will be having high expectations, but the most urgent work plan will be to implement what requires political goodwill,” Mr Gachagua said.
People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua (centre) leading United Alternative Government and Linda Mwananchi members in addressing journalists at Hermosa Hotel in Nairobi on August 19, 2026.
He argued that restoring governance institutions, protecting human dignity and dismantling what he termed State capture could begin immediately without major budgetary allocations.
Among the measures he pledged were investigations and prosecutions over the deaths of Gen Z protesters during the 2024 and 2025 demonstrations, improved mental healthcare, cancellation of what he termed illegally issued title deeds on community land and demolition of hotels allegedly built along wildlife corridors.
He also proposed establishing girls’ boarding schools in wards where female genital mutilation and early marriage remain prevalent.
“There are about 150,000 acres that have been grabbed by powerful people in government and all the titles awarded must be cancelled in the first 100 days,” he said.
Cost of living
Mr Gachagua further accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of driving up the cost of living while allowing conflicts of interest and State capture to flourish.
He said an opposition government would crack down on illicit brews, restore merit-based public appointments, reduce taxation, lower the cost of living and enforce zero tolerance against political violence.
Mr Gachagua said that the programme belonged to the united opposition rather than to any individual presidential hopeful.
“Whether it is me, Kalonzo Musyoka who is seasoned, cool and wise, Edwin Sifuna and his agility, Dr Fred Matiang’i who is a renowned workaholic, or Martha Karua whose eyesight is steady and focused on standards, the job will be done because it is a collective agenda,” he said.
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua (second right) addressing a press briefing at the SKM Centre on April 15, 2026. With him are (from left) Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiangi and Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa.
His remarks come as opposition leaders continue negotiations on fielding a single presidential candidate against President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Mr Gachagua has previously said he would be willing to deputise Mr Sifuna, or support another opposition leader, if political arithmetic shows that person offers the best chance of defeating President Ruto.
Mr Gachagua said he was in the United States not only to sell his presidential bid but also to engage Kenyans in the diaspora and develop proposals that could help opposition principals agree on a winning formula.
“I ran away from undue influence, and while here, I will try to come up with my own view of how we can combine strengths so as to defeat President William Ruto. I will table that proposal once we meet as opposition principals. All of us at the negotiation table will table proposals, and we will discuss them ahead of naming our presidential candidate, earliest in March 2027,” he said.
Unveiled proposals
He also unveiled proposals targeting Kenyans abroad, including allowing them to establish a diaspora bank to retain interest, service fees and commissions generated from remittances.
The former deputy president said a future opposition government would introduce commercial diplomacy, with ambassadors tasked with promoting Kenyan agricultural products, tourism and other exports in their host countries.
“It is not just about diaspora remittances. It is also about the brains they use to prosper in foreign lands. We want to start commercial diplomacy where we give a commission for any tourist the diaspora recommends to come to Kenya, and for any agricultural produce you help us sell,” he said.
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