Gachagua contributed KSh 10m to secure bail for youth arrested by state, MP says
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Kirinyaga Woman representative Njeri Maina spoke at a DCP youth engagement event held at Rigathi Gachagua's Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri on Monday, August 25
- Maina said she personally spent long hours in court defending young people arrested during the Gen Z protests
- The lawmaker urged Kenyan youth to convert their civic activism into political leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has claimed that former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua contributed KSh 10 million to secure bail for young people arrested during last year's Gen Z protests, presenting the move as evidence of his genuine commitment to Kenya's youth.
Maina made the remarks Monday, August 24, at Gachagua's Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri, where the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader hosted a youth engagement forum.
The meeting was parst of Gachagua's ongoing political consultations ahead of his 2027 presidential bid.
Maina Recalls Her Role During the Protests
The lawmaker told attendees that she was personally involved in defending arrested protesters, saying she was present in court from early morning until late evening supporting those facing charges.
"During the Gen Z protests, I was in the frontline defending those arrested during the protests. I could enter the court at 7 a.m. and leave court late in the evening," she said.
Maina said she used the occasion to align herself and Gachagua with the aspirations of a generation that had taken to the streets demanding accountability from the government.
"Our party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, contributed KSh 10 million towards securing bail for those arrested during the demonstrations," she said.
"He has also assured us that our party will conduct free, fair and transparent nominations, giving every aspiring leader an equal opportunity to compete."
DCP Pitches Political Space for Youth
Beyond recounting the protests, Maina used the forum to push a broader message: that young Kenyans must move from demonstrations and public debate into elective office. She argued that civic participation means little without political representation.
She cited her own trajectory as a case in point, noting that she won the Kirinyaga Woman Representative seat at 27 despite being told she could not succeed.
She challenged aspiring young leaders to cultivate relationships at the grassroots level, including with small-scale traders and boda boda riders, and to actively campaign for votes rather than cede ground to entrenched political figures.
Maina also called on young people to recognise and support one another's distinct talents as they prepare to compete for positions across the country.
Her remarks positioned the DCP's youth outreach around two priorities: creating political room for younger candidates and ensuring those candidates are prepared to seize the opportunity before the 2027 General Election.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.