Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed the notion that political power can be achieved through social media campaigns or closed-door meetings, insisting that the presidency is secured through direct engagement with the people at the grassroots.
Speaking on Friday during the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) presentation of candidates for the upcoming by-elections, Gachagua underscored the importance of political mobilisation, saying leadership is built in the field and not in hotel boardrooms.
“Getting elected as President is about political mobilisation. Many people may want to spend a lot of time in hotels and boardrooms discussing theories. I am a very experienced politician who has delivered two Presidents for this country, and I know how to make a president. There is no President you will make in a boardroom,” Gachagua said.
He emphasised that political leaders must connect directly with the electorate, inspiring and mobilising them consistently over time.
According to the ex-DP, voters remember leaders who engage with them meaningfully, not those who rely on optics or social media impressions.
“Presidents are made in the field. We are from the grassroots, and you must go and mobilise people and inspire them. You must have content, and people must remember what you say even a month later. That is how you become president,” he shared.
The DCP leader took issue with individuals he described as being overly reliant on digital platforms, suggesting that posting pictures of politicians online does not translate into national leadership.
“You know, I see people talking a lot, as if by just posting someone’s picture on social media, they can become president. They’re even saying ‘the sixth.’ That cannot make you president. You must go there, mobilise numbers, and inspire the people of Kenya. The relevance of online space is to inform the people where you are on the ground,” Gachagua stated.
His remarks were directed at DCP aspirants and nominees, whom he challenged to prioritise face-to-face engagement with voters if they are to succeed politically.
He reminded them of the party’s slogan “Skiza Wakenya” (Listen to Kenyans), urging them to remain attentive to the needs and aspirations of ordinary citizens.
Gachagua’s comments come at a time when social media has increasingly become a platform for political messaging, campaign branding, and mobilisation.
However, he argued that while online presence is important, it cannot substitute physical interactions that build trust and loyalty among the electorate.
“The only way you get elected is on the ground. There is no other formula,” he reiterated, stressing that genuine leadership is rooted in grassroots movements.
His remarks come as the country gears up for the upcoming by-elections.on November 27, 2025.
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