Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has criticised Rigathi Gachagua’s newly formed party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

In a statement on X after the launch of the party on Thursday, May 15, 2025, Ngunyi described the party as completely underwhelming and horrible.

“Dear Gachagua, It doesn’t GO wrong; it starts wrong. Your party is completely underwhelming. The name sounds horrible, like it was made by your Karatina tailor,” he stated.

Speaking during the launch of the party in Nairobi, Gachagua revealed that he has spent the last 6 months at his home holding consultations to help shape his political party.

Why Gachagua formed DCP

The former deputy president stated that the DCP party was formed on the backdrop of the need to provide better leadership for Kenyans and pull them out of the long-standing problems of poor governance.

“Kenyans have boldly told us they have a solution to the problems facing them. Kenyans have asked us to start a party that will form a government by the people for the people,” he noted.

Further, he declared that the party has no preferred candidates and will prioritise the voices of Kenyans, hence the party slogan ‘Skiza Wakenya.

The party’s symbol is a hand holding an ear, symbolizing the act of listening to netizens, with its official colors being green, red, white, and black.

Similarly, he accused President William Ruto of abandoning the people who propelled him to power and instead surrounding himself with sycophants.

“I detest lies, and that is why I disagreed with the liar number one,” he stated, without naming the president directly.

He said ‘Skiza Wakenya‘ was conceived as a direct response to what he described as growing public frustration over unmet promises and a government that no longer listens.

“Our slogan is Skiza Wakenya, but if Kenyans wish, they can call it Skiza Ground. Either way, the message is clear: leaders must listen,” he said.

Additionally, he emphasised that the party will be a platform for every Kenyan, regardless of social class or political history.

“This party belongs to all of us, where every Kenyan is treated equally,” he said, adding, “At no time under our leadership will any citizen feel ignored or left behind.”

He committed to running a party that listens deliberately and sustainably, promising that DCP would always act on the concerns of the people.

Additionally, the former deputy president appointed former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Mlala as the interim deputy party leader alongside other leaders.