Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pledged to give Kenyans living abroad direct representation in government if he wins the 2027 presidential election, unveiling a proposal that would see diaspora professionals nominated to Parliament, county assemblies and even senior executive positions.
Speaking during an engagement with Kenyans living in the United Kingdom on Sunday, May 17, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said his administration would formally integrate diaspora voices into the country’s leadership structure, arguing that Kenya was suffering from a collapse of meritocracy under President William Ruto.
Gachagua said the move would ensure that skilled Kenyans abroad contribute directly to national governance and policymaking.
“I have said repeatedly that in our Senate, in our National Assembly, we must get some people nominated from the diaspora to come and represent your interests,” Gachagua declared during the meeting.
The former deputy president added that counties controlled by his DCP party would also prioritise nominating diaspora representatives to county assemblies in a bid to strengthen devolution and improve legislation at the grassroots.
According to Gachagua, Kenya’s challenges are not caused by a lack of talent, but by what he described as poor leadership and disregard for professionalism in government.
“Kenya is not failing because we lack human resources. Kenya is failing because the current president has no regard for meritocracy, professionalism, experience and integrity,” he said.
In a direct attack on President Ruto, Gachagua accused the Head of State of sidelining qualified professionals in key government appointments.
“He has no regard for professionalism. He has no regard for experience. He has no regard for integrity,” Gachagua added.
The DCP leader cited lessons from his recent visit to the United States, saying devolved systems abroad had transformed local economies and governance through professional management — a model he believes Kenya can replicate by tapping into expertise from the diaspora community in countries such as the UK and the US.
Gachagua framed the proposal as part of a wider reform agenda aimed at making devolution more effective in rural areas and urban centres which, he argued, have yet to fully benefit from county governments more than a decade after devolution was introduced.
The former Mathira MP is currently in the UK seeking to rally support among Kenyans abroad as he positions himself for a possible 2027 presidential run under the emerging opposition coalition.
His political push comes even as he continues to battle a court case challenging his 2024 impeachment. The matter is expected to resume on May 22, with the outcome likely to shape his political future ahead of the next General Election.
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