Gachagua Urges Mt Kenya Families To Have Six Children, Pledges Free Education In 2027
Politics Updated: 07 February 2026 23:12 EAT
DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua during a ruracio ceremony in Gatundu South
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged families in the Mt Kenya region to have up to six children per household, saying population growth would strengthen the community’s future political and economic influence. He made the remarks while addressing residents during a cultural dowry ceremony in Gatundu South, Kiambu County.
During the same address, Gachagua pledged to make education free across Kenya if elected president in the 2027 general election. He said the policy would ease the financial burden on parents and ensure equal access to learning for children from all backgrounds.
Gachagua argued that access to free education would make it easier for families to raise more children without fear of school-related costs. He maintained that education remains the most powerful tool for empowering households and driving long-term national development.
The former deputy president has recently intensified political engagements in the Mt Kenya region, which is widely viewed as a critical voting bloc ahead of the 2027 polls. Allies and supporters have publicly endorsed him as a key opposition figure positioning himself for a presidential run.
His remarks have generated debate across political and social circles, with supporters praising his emphasis on family values and education. Critics, however, have questioned the practicality of encouraging larger families amid rising living costs and ongoing challenges in education financing.
Analysts note that Gachagua’s free education promise comes at a time when education funding remains a national concern, with discussions ongoing about capitation levels, infrastructure gaps, and teacher shortages in public schools.
As campaigns toward 2027 gather momentum, Gachagua’s statements highlight his strategy of combining bold social messaging with policy pledges aimed at consolidating regional support while appealing to parents and young voters nationwide.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD