A dramatic scene unfolded Thursday morning in Lavington, Nairobi County, during the launch of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s new political party — Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) — after suspected goons attempted to disrupt the high-profile event.
Chaos erupted just moments after Gachagua and other senior DCP officials left the party headquarters, forcing police to fire warning shots in the air to disperse an increasingly rowdy crowd. Video footage from the scene shows a man believed to be a police officer raising his weapon and firing shots into the air as members of the public surged toward the congested venue exit.
“Remove the vehicle!” shouted an armed man — suspected to be one of Gachagua’s bodyguards — as the crowd attempted to force its way out of the gate amid the confusion. Gachagua’s convoy was briefly halted as officers worked quickly to regain control. After a tense five minutes, the situation was brought under control and the event venue cleared without further incident.
Despite the unexpected disruption, the event marked the official unveiling of the Democracy for the Citizens Party — a much-anticipated political move by the former Deputy President as he positions himself for a return to active politics.
In a symbolic move, Gachagua was the first to address the crowd at the launch, standing at the podium to announce the party’s mission to be the voice of ordinary citizens.
“We finally have a political party that listens to the people. Our party slogan is ‘Please, listen to Kenyans,’” Gachagua said, emphasizing the party’s commitment to grassroots engagement. “The listening must not just be for the sake of it — it must lead to real change.”
The new party’s branding features a striking neon green and white color scheme, with a logo showing fingers pressed to an ear and the slogan “Skiza Wakenya” (“Listen to Kenyans”) engraved prominently — a clear nod to its populist ethos.
During the launch, Gachagua named former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as the DCP’s Deputy Party Leader and appointed former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi as National Organising Secretary, signaling his intent to rally key political figures around his new platform.
Though details remain scarce about the full extent of the disruption, speculation is rife that political rivalries may have played a role in the attempted sabotage. Security sources have yet to confirm the identity or motive of the suspected goons.
Political observers are watching closely as Gachagua re-emerges on the national stage with a new banner and bold message. The launch of DCP could shake up Kenya’s already volatile political landscape as the country inches closer to the 2027 general election.
By Kelly Were
