Staff at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters are facing what they describe as a bleak festive season after party activities ground to a halt following the alleged withdrawal of party funds by the party leader, Rigathi Gachagua.

According to multiple party officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the DCP end-of-year staff party scheduled for 20 December 2025 was cancelled after it emerged that the party’s accounts had no remaining funds. The officials claim that Gachagua withdrew all the money from the party account and subsequently placed his phone on Do Not Disturb mode, leaving staff unable to seek clarification.

Several staff members expressed frustration and distress, saying many had been counting on the end-of-year engagement to ease financial pressure ahead of Christmas. “We have small families who were looking forward to the holidays, but our pockets are empty,” one staffer said. Others alleged that some employees are facing rent arrears, with reports that a number of houses have already been locked due to unpaid rent.

The complaints go beyond finances. Staff accuse the party leadership of running DCP like a private entity, with key decisions made unilaterally and without consultation. “There are no clear structures. Everything depends on one person,” another official said.

Sources within the party further claim that Gachagua had recently asked party aspirants to contribute money to enable him to celebrate Christmas with neighbours. Fewer than 20 aspirants are said to have responded, leaving the party financially strained.

Meanwhile, Gachagua has reportedly retreated to Wamunyoro for the Christmas period, where he is hosting political delegations. Aspirants visiting Wamunyoro allege that delegations are required to pay KSh 200,000 in advance, arrive with goats, and cater for meals at one of Gachagua’s Nyeri hotels at KSh 2,500 per plate. Some aspirants privately complain that they feel treated like a “cash cow,” but say the photo opportunities are politically necessary to demonstrate proximity to the party leader.

As Christmas approaches, uncertainty hangs over DCP headquarters, with staff warning that unless the situation changes, this festive season will be one of the darkest they have experienced since joining the party.

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