The planned launch of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), which was set for Tuesday, June 3, at the Kasarani Stadium, has now been cancelled.
According to Irungu Nyakera, the former KICC board chair, the cancellation was due to the party being denied access to the venue they had booked for the event.
Nyakera made this announcement on Monday, June 2, and confirmed that although the launch would no longer take place as scheduled, new details on the date and venue would be shared later.
He made it clear that this setback would not stop their efforts and determination, saying that being denied a venue would not silence their movement. He said they would continue with their mission and that the voice of the people would not be silenced.
The party, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, had initially confirmed through a booking letter that the celebration would take place inside the gymnasium at Kasarani Stadium.
The venue was to be hired for Ksh3.7 million and used for speeches, performances, and interactive sessions that were meant to inform the public about the party’s direction, its leaders, and what it stands for.
The event was expected to attract around 5,000 people, including supporters, guests, media, and other invited members. In the formal letter sent earlier, the DCP had requested to use the facility from 8am to 5pm on the launch day and included all necessary details of their planned program.
But the plans took a sudden turn when, just a few days later on May 28, the Sports Kenya Director-General Gabriel Komora informed the DCP that the venue would no longer be available.
In a statement, Komora said that the facility had already been booked for use by sporting teams preparing for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025.
He added that no new bookings were being accepted due to these ongoing preparations. He apologised to the party and suggested they look for a different location for their launch. What raised eyebrows, however, was that this decision came after Sports Kenya had earlier told the DCP on May 21 that the venue was available.
The booking had even been accepted by the management of the sports complex, and the party says they had received an official invoice and already made payment.
This unexpected change has caused frustration among DCP leaders, who now believe there is political interference behind the cancellation. They have pointed fingers at President William Ruto, accusing him of meddling in their affairs and trying to block their event.
While they have not given proof of this claim, the party insists that they had followed all the correct procedures. For now, DCP says they remain focused and will not be discouraged. They promise to share a new date and venue soon and continue pushing forward with their political agenda.
