Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has given 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 party leadership, under Wanjiku Thiga, should establish a framework to assess eligibility for the exemption.

DCp’s youth league suggestion

During her address at the highly charged forum, Wanjiku Thiga 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 nodding 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.

He went on to encourage young people to take up leadership positions and promised that those who continue popularising the party in their regions will be rewarded.

Gachagua announced that in counties where the DCP achieves at least 50 per cent support, 50 per cent of the nomination slots for County Assembly seats will be allocated to young people as a launching pad into elective politics, as envisioned in the Constitution.

He cited Nairobi County as an example, noting that the party foresees securing 20 nomination slots there, half of which would be awarded to youths who work diligently for the party. He even granted one nomination slot to a youth who has been actively promoting the party.

Gachagua further noted that youths who are active online and effectively champion the party’s cause through social media as “online warriors” will be prioritised for these slots.

These also comes days after promising members of the diaspora community nomination slots in 2027.