Gachagua Homecoming Aftermath: DCP Youth Leader Warns Against Misusing the Youth

    The Democracy for Citizens’ Party (DCP) has distanced itself from accusations of hiring goons during Rigathi Gachagua’s much-anticipated homecoming, which was marred by chaos and heavy police deployment.

    Speaking during an interview on Friday, August 22, 2025, DCP youth leader Wanjiku Thiga strongly denied that the party paid youths to cause trouble, insisting that the state was behind the unrest.

    According to Thiga, the government is exploiting the frustrations of unemployed and disillusioned young people by paying them to disrupt opposition activities instead of addressing the root causes of their anger ,joblessness, poverty, and economic hardship.

    “We have a disconnect in this government because many young people did not vote for it. Instead of fixing the rot, you are once again using the young people as goons,” Thiga said.

    She emphasized that DCP supporters turned up peacefully to welcome their party leader, and that the violent clashes were stage-managed by the state to discredit the movement.

    Thiga accused the government of using "goon politics" to divert attention from its failures, warning that the tactic was both dangerous and unsustainable.

    You will pay them today, and tomorrow if you don’t, they will surely come for you,” she cautioned.

    The youth leader further argued that such a strategy not only undermines democratic space but also risks creating deeper instability, as the same groups used to sow violence could eventually turn against their sponsors.

    Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in Nairobi and neighboring counties, with Gachagua’s return drawing significant attention and sparking questions over the government’s handling of dissent.

    For Thiga and the DCP, however, the path remains clear: their struggle is peaceful and anchored in defending democratic values. She expressed disappointment that state propaganda continues to paint DCP as violent, while in reality, their supporters are focused on accountability and justice.

    As the dust settles from Gachagua’s homecoming, the bigger debate remains over the role of Kenya’s youth in politics and whether they will continue to be manipulated as tools of chaos, or embraced as genuine partners in shaping the country’s future.