Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has pledged to introduce tax incentives for investors who create employment opportunities in Kenya if he is elected president in the 2027 General Election. Speaking to Kenyan and American business investors in Dallas, Texas, Gachagua said his proposed administration would link certain tax benefits to the number of jobs created by investors. According to Gachagua, the approach would be intended to attract new investments while encouraging companies already operating in Kenya to expand their businesses and employ more people.
Gachagua’s Proposed Tax Incentives
Gachagua said investors who demonstrate a clear capacity to create jobs would qualify for government incentives. He cited an ICT company employing at least 100 Kenyans as an example, saying such a business could receive a five-year tax waiver under his proposed policy.
He also said smaller businesses would not be overlooked, indicating that investors who create more than 10 jobs should receive recognition and attention from the government. The DCP leader said the proposed incentives would be part of a wider effort to make Kenya more attractive to both local and international investors.
Push to Reduce Business Barriers
Beyond tax incentives, Gachagua has also spoken about reducing bureaucratic hurdles that investors face when establishing and operating businesses.
During his engagements in the United States, he said his proposed administration would seek to address corruption, bureaucracy and excessive government processes that he argues can discourage investment.
He has also proposed simplifying business licensing through a single electronic permit system, which would allow investors to access the necessary approvals without moving between multiple government offices.
The proposals form part of Gachagua’s broader economic message ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with job creation and investment featuring prominently in his engagements with Kenyans and business communities in the United States.
Gachagua Seeks Greater Diaspora Role
Gachagua has also used his ongoing US tour to outline plans for greater participation by Kenyans living abroad in the country’s governance and economic development. While addressing Kenyans in Dallas, he argued that the diaspora’s contribution to Kenya extends beyond political participation, pointing to remittances, investments, professional expertise and other economic links with the country.
He said Kenyans living abroad should have a greater opportunity to participate in decisions affecting the country despite being outside Kenya. Among the proposals he has previously outlined is giving qualified Kenyans in the diaspora opportunities to serve in diplomatic positions, including ambassadorial and deputy ambassadorial roles. He has also pledged to establish a Kenyan consulate in Texas to serve the state’s growing Kenyan community.
Call for Diaspora Investment
Gachagua has further encouraged Kenyans abroad to invest more in the country’s productive sectors, particularly manufacturing, agro-processing and value addition. He has linked increased investment in these areas to the creation of employment opportunities, particularly for young Kenyans.
His US tour has therefore focused on both political engagement and discussions around investment, governance and the role of the diaspora in Kenya’s development. Gachagua’s latest proposals come as political parties and prospective presidential candidates continue to outline their economic priorities ahead of the 2027 General Election. His suggested tax incentives and diaspora initiatives remain proposals that would require implementation through government policy and applicable legal and fiscal processes if his administration were to be formed.
