DCP launches youth league chapter
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 11, 2026The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has launched a Nyeri youth league chapter at a high-voltage event in Nyeri Town.
The event, which was spearheaded by Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and Youth League Chair Wanjiku Thiga, in Nyeri on Saturday, April 11, 2026, saw youths fill the venue during the launch of an organ meant to represent their aspirations.
The youth league chapter has only been functional at the national level, where its leader, Wanjiku Thiga, also sits in the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).
This comes at a time when party leader Rigathi Gachagua has been eyeing youth support for his 2027 presidential bid. He has promised various incentives for young people while urging them to join the DCP party.
Nomination fees for youth
This comes days after Gachagua gave a nod to the exemption of nomination fees for youths within the party seeking elective seats in 2027.
While speaking at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, during the DCP Youth League forum, he urged the party leadership, led by Secretary General Hezron Obaga and DCP Youth League leader Wanjiku Thiga, to develop a formula that will see young people exempted from paying for nomination tickets in the upcoming elections.
“I agree with the formula that will have an exemption for you not to pay nomination fees, but only if you prove that you are a serious candidate by enrolling members into the party; then we know you are serious,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua further stated that this exemption should only be extended to youths within the party who are serious and have demonstrated determination in seeking the tickets. He emphasised that the youth leadership, under Wanjiku Thiga, should establish a framework to assess eligibility for the exemption.
Wanjiku Thiga’s suggestion
During that forum, Wanjiku Thiga had pleaded with the party leadership, led by party leader Rigathi Gachagua, to waive nomination fees for all youth aspirants.
Instead of paying, Thiga proposed that young aspirants be tasked with nominating new members into the party.
For instance, a youth seeking to vie for an MCA seat and wishing to be exempted from nomination fees should register at least 1,000 new members through the party’s USSD platform.
Youths aspiring for parliamentary seats would be required to register at least 2,500 members, while those seeking Woman Representative, Senator, or Governor positions should register at least 5,000 new members.
Gachagua nods the proposal
Gachagua welcomed Thiga’s proposal, saying it would be an effective way of assessing an aspirant’s seriousness.
He added that offering free tickets to every youth without such measures would invite too many non-serious candidates (“jokers”).
He urged the Youth League leadership to continue fine-tuning the formula to ensure deserving young people within the party can access nomination tickets for free.