NAIROBI, Kenya- DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua says Kenyans want changes to the country’s tax system and the return of strategic public assets that have been sold.
Gachagua made the remarks while presenting a report on consultations he held with Kenyans over 55 days as he considers his political plans ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former deputy president said the consultations involved people from different sectors and parts of the country, who raised concerns about the economy, taxation, agriculture, healthcare, education and government accountability.
He said the cost of living and pressure on household incomes featured prominently in the discussions.
“Further, the raiding of the payslip has greatly reduced people’s earnings, household incomes and affected spending power. Workers want back their valuable payslip,” Gachagua said.
He also said traders had complained about the tax environment, which they considered difficult and unpredictable.
“Traders told me that they are experiencing the murkiest tax regime in Kenya’s history; they taxed into poverty,” he said.
Gachagua said those he consulted wanted a more predictable system that would encourage businesses to invest and expand.
“They asked for a conducive business environment that spurs investment and trade,” he said.
Public assets
The former deputy president also raised concerns about the sale of state-owned assets.
He said Kenyans questioned both the disposal of public assets and the manner in which some transactions had been carried out.
“On the sale of Public Assets, Kenyans have told me that this is wrong,” he said.
“What is more annoying is the impunity and the manner in which it is being done; the people of Kenya have clear instructions that strategic public Assets that have been sold must be brought back to the people.”
Gachagua did not provide details in his speech on which assets he was referring to or how they would be returned.
His comments form part of a wider set of demands contained in the report, which he said reflected issues raised during his consultations.
Agriculture and cooperatives
Agriculture was another major concern highlighted in the report.
Gachagua said farmers had complained about the rising cost of inputs, weak markets and problems affecting agricultural value chains.
“Kenyans want their agriculture back,” he said.
He also highlighted the cooperative movement, saying members were concerned about government interference in their institutions.
Gachagua said cooperative societies had more than Sh1.2 trillion in deposits, arguing that the money and assets belonged to their members.
“They do not want this regime to touch a coin,” he said.
The DCP leader said the concerns raised during the consultations would inform a policy document that he plans to develop.
“Kenyans have asked me to develop a policy paper on all sectors and present a blue-print to them for validation,” he said.
The report is part of Gachagua’s broader political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election, as opposition parties seek to agree on how they will challenge President William Ruto.
Gachagua has separately declared that he wants to be the preferred presidential candidate of the United Alternative Government, while saying he would support another candidate if the coalition reaches a different agreement.
His 55-day consultations therefore provide both a political platform and a list of issues he says Kenyans want addressed by the next government.
