Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out of the political cold with a vengeance, declaring a "total war" on the current administration and positioning Kenya’s youth as the foot soldiers of a 2027 revolution.

In a high-stakes meeting that felt more like a commandment than a consultation, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader addressed the party's student caucus with a message that was equal parts sermon and strategy. "The time for lamentation is over," Gachagua thundered, his signature abrasive style undimmed by his time in the opposition trenches. "We are here to organize, not to agonize."

The "Deceptive Leadership" Narrative

Gachagua did not mince words. He characterized the current regime—one he helped install—as an edifice of "corruption, poor governance, and impunity." By framing the 2027 election as a "liberation struggle," he is attempting to tap into the palpable disillusionment among Gen Z and millennials, a demographic that has proven its capacity to disrupt the status quo.

"I am happy our young leaders have come of age," he stated on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. "Kenyans look upon them to spearhead the liberation of our country from the yoke of deceptive leadership." It is a calculated pivot. The man once known as the "truthful man" of the establishment is now rebranding himself as the grand patriarch of the resistance.

A Promise of Fair Play

Aware of the cynicism that clouds party politics in Kenya, Gachagua offered a carrot: the promise of free and fair primaries within the DCP. "There will be no direct tickets," he assured the student leaders. "If you want to run for MCA, MP, or Governor, you will face the people. The DCP will not be a boardroom party."

• The Strategy: weaponizing youth discontent to build a grassroots army.
• The Target: 18-35 year olds, who make up over 75% of the electorate.
• The Stakes: Political survival for Gachagua and the soul of the 2027 ballot.

The Mount Kenya Factor

Political analysts view this move as Gachagua’s attempt to ring-fence his Mount Kenya base while expanding his appeal nationally. By engaging student leaders from "various institutions of higher learning," he is trying to shed the "villager" tag and project the image of a national statesman. However, the ghost of his impeachment and his previous hardline stances may haunt this new crusade.

As the DCP machinery gears up, the question remains: Can the youth, often used as political pawns, trust a general who once dined at the king’s table? Gachagua believes they have no choice. "We must save this country," he told the students. "And you are the saviours."