NYERI — In the quiet meeting halls of Nyeri, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has begun the meticulous work of building an army. While the national political stage is dominated by noise and posturing, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s outfit is betting on a different currency: technical capacity.

On Friday, the party launched a nationwide training programme tailored specifically for women aspirants, signaling a strategic shift from chaotic mobilization to structured political warfare ahead of the 2027 General Election. The initiative, anchored by the newly unveiled Her Campaign Manual, aims to professionalize the bids of hundreds of women who often falter not due to lack of popularity, but lack of strategy.

Beyond the Slogans

The launch in Nyeri marks the first phase of a "Training of Trainers" campaign. According to party officials, the goal is to create a cascade effect where trained leaders return to their wards and constituencies to mentor others. This is not merely about filling quotas; it is about survival in Kenya’s bruising political arena.

“Public education provides vital information that enables decision-making processes in critical moments,” the party noted in a statement. The curriculum covers the nuts and bolts of modern campaigning:

• Resource Mobilization: How to raise funds beyond family donations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Mapping power brokers in the village.
• Communication Strategy: Crafting messages that resonate with the Wanjiku economy.
• Personal Branding: Navigating the double standards often applied to women leaders.

For the aspiring MCA or MP in rural Kenya, this technical support could be the difference between a wasted nomination fee and a seat at the table. In a landscape where campaign financing is opaque and violence against women candidates remains a threat, the DCP’s move to institutionalize support offers a tangible lifeline.

The ‘Listening’ Machine

This initiative aligns with Gachagua’s broader rebranding since his acrimonious exit from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). Under the banner of DCP and the slogan Skiza Wakenya (Listen to Kenyans), the former DP is positioning himself as the empathetic alternative to President William Ruto’s administration.

The party’s neon green, brown, and white colours—symbolizing the earth and the grassroots—have become a common sight in Mount Kenya. By focusing on women and youth (following a similar youth wing launch in November), Gachagua is attempting to lock down the two largest voting blocs. Analysts suggest this is a calculated move to rebuild his political machinery from the ground up, ensuring that when the 2027 whistle blows, his candidates are not just loyal, but competent.

The 2027 Calculus

The timing is deliberate. With the political temperature rising, parties are scrambling to restructure. However, DCP’s approach of early, structured training sets a high bar. It challenges the traditional model where women are often relegated to "flower girl" roles or given direct tickets only as tokens.

“We strongly hold that women hold a vital role in our communities and at no point should women be left behind,” the party emphasized. By standardizing the training, DCP claims it will field the most prepared slate of female candidates in the country.

As the political season turns, the effectiveness of Her Campaign Manual will be tested not in the classroom, but on the campaign trail. For now, Gachagua has signaled that he is not just building a party; he is building a faculty of politics.