Former DP Rigathi Gachagua has mocked the government’s promise of turning Kenya into a “First World” country, saying the narrative is disconnected from the lived reality of millions of struggling Kenyans.

In his New Year 2026 message, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said the last three years had been marked by economic decline, broken trust and policy recklessness, despite official claims of progress.

“It is shocking that the power speaks large false narratives of a First World Kenya while millions of our people sink deeper into poverty,” Mr Gachagua said.

He questioned the credibility of the government’s economic messaging, arguing that poverty, unemployment and collapsing public services tell a different story.

“You cannot speak of a First World country when more than half of our children are trapped in multidimensional poverty and parents cannot afford to take their children back to school,” he said.

Mr Gachagua cited rising poverty levels, saying the middle class had been weakened while an estimated two million more Kenyans risk falling below the poverty line due to poor fiscal policies and high taxation.

He also accused the government of dismantling the free education system, weakening healthcare services and burdening workers with what he described as illegal deductions to fund failed projects.

The former deputy president further criticised reckless borrowing, corruption, abuse of the criminal justice system and what he termed the shrinking of democratic space.

Despite the criticism, Mr Gachagua said Kenyans remained resilient and capable of reclaiming the country.

"We shall reclaim our land and rebuild our economy, our democracy and our future through better policies,” he said.