Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on youths to take centre stage in leadership ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 general election.

In a statement on his official X account on Thursday, March 5, 2026, Gachagua, while encouraging youth to take up leadership spaces, also urged youths to actively participate in the electoral process.

On his part, Gachagua explained that young people are the leaders of today and not tomorrow, hence there time to shape up the Country.

“To the young people, I call on you to actively participate in our democratic processes, especially in elections, for the right decisions and for the good of our Country. Young people are the leaders of today and not tomorrow. Fight for your space, because this is your time to shape the future,” Gachagua said.

He further added that Multi-stakeholder dialogue and civic engagement are essential pillars of democratic governance and social development.

Adding that they serve as crucial mechanisms for enhancing inclusivity, transparency and accountability among political actors and institutions.

Gachagua, who attended the 2026 People’s Dialogue Festival, held at Uhuru Park Gardens and organised by the Centre for Multi-Party Democracy (CMD-Kenya) said that the collaborative approach lays a foundation for sustainable development.

“Together with my brothers, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and Justin Muturi, we engaged in meaningful conversations that are shaping the future of our democracy,” Gachagua said.

“This annual festival is a vital forum for civic and political actors to connect with citizens on key issues of governance, policy, and democratic renewal. It provides an invaluable platform for dialogue, reflection, and collaborative efforts to strengthen our democratic fabric,” he added.

Gachagua scolds ODM

His remarks come days after the Former Deputy President accused the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of hypocrisy over its push for a 50% power-sharing deal with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking at a rally in Nyandarua County on March 1, 2026, Gachagua, now leading the Democratic Citizen Party (DCP), said ODM had previously opposed him when he advocated for equitable representation for the Mount Kenya region.

“Hawa watu wa ODM ndio walinifukuza eti kwa sababu niliongea mambo ya shares ya watu wa mlima. Sasa wanaitisha 50%. That is total hypocrisy,” he declared, drawing cheers from the crowd. He added that broken promises in earlier negotiations had fueled his criticism.

“That is total hypocrisy, because hiyo maneno ya hypocrisy tulikua tumeskizana na huyo mtu ya kua tukimpatia kura utupatie hii, akaanza kuhepa mi nilimwambia ile tuliagana utupatie,” Gachagua noted.