Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has poured cold water on the idea that political power can be secured through hashtags, boardrooms or carefully curated photos.
Speaking on Friday at a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) event to unveil candidates for the upcoming by-elections, Mr Gachagua insisted that the path to State House still runs through dusty marketplaces and village gatherings.
“Getting elected as President is about political mobilisation,” he told the crowd. “Many people may want to spend a lot of time in hotels and boardrooms discussing theories. There is no President you will make in a boardroom.”
Mr Gachagua, who now leads the DCP, described himself as a veteran of political campaigns. “I am a very experienced politician who has delivered two Presidents for this country, and I know how to make a president,” he said.
He argued that leaders who inspire lasting support do so by speaking directly to the people and leaving messages that resonate long after rallies end.
“Presidents are made in the field. We are from the grassroots, and you must go and mobilise people and inspire them,” he said. “You must have content, and people must remember what you say even a month later. That is how you become president.”
The former Deputy President took a swipe at what he called the “digital illusion of power,” mocking those who think posting a politician’s photo online can pave their way to leadership.
“You know, I see people talking a lot, as if by just posting someone’s picture on social media, they can become president,” he said. “They’re even saying ‘the sixth.’ That cannot make you president. You must mobilise numbers and inspire the people of Kenya. The relevance of online space is to inform the people where you are on the ground.”
His remarks were also directed at his party’s nominees, urging them to embrace the DCP slogan, Skiza Wakenya — “Listen to Kenyans” — by spending time in communities and addressing citizens’ needs.
Kenyan politics has seen an explosion of online campaigning in recent years, with platforms such as X, TikTok and Facebook shaping narratives and reaching millions of voters. Analysts note that digital tools have become essential for visibility, fundraising and youth engagement. But Mr Gachagua’s comments highlight a lingering scepticism over how far social media alone can carry a candidate.
“The only way you get elected is on the ground. There is no other formula,” he reiterated, underscoring his belief that grassroots organising, not online momentum, determines elections.
His remarks come as the country heads towards by-elections scheduled for 27 November, a reminder that while digital politics may be louder, the road to power in Kenya still lies in face-to-face persuasion.
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