The highly anticipated launch of former deputy president’s Democracy for Citizens Party has hit a major obstacle. Party officials had initially confirmed booking of the Kasarani indoor Arena for the official lunching of DCP which had been scheduled for June 4, 2025 at a cost of ksh 3.7milion.

However the event has been cancelled due to the party being denied access. Sports Kenya Director-General Gabriel Komora, in a letter dated May 26 stated that the venue had already been booked for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 games that will be cohosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

“We regret to inform you that the venue will not be available due to prior bookings by sports teams. We are also not taking further bookings due to preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN),” Komora said.

On their part DCP party members were quick to react on the Director General’s statement blaming them by insisting this move was politically influenced as they claim they had on May 20th enquired about the availability of the same venue for their function which authorities confirmed it was available.

Through the party’s Secretary General Hezron Obaga, DCP blamed the government by calling the cancellation a move to deter DCP and hinder democracy, “The indefinite venue cancellation by Sports Kenya is an affront to democracy and an attempt to deter the DCP party launch by the government. The Kasarani gymnasium facility (indoor arena auditorium) is a public facility which every Kenyan has a right to access and utilize for the public good,” Obanga responded to the cancellation letter.

This cancellation by the government has just amplified the tensions between former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and the Kenya Kwanza administration. Gachagua since his impeachment has been openly critical of President William Ruto’s administration and now he also faces a mounting political backlash as a section of MPs have been mounting political pressure on him for what they call spreading of hate speech in his recent rallies and media appearances.

The MPs now want him arrested and prosecuted. This whole saga has also drawn the attention of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission which has cautioned against hate speech.