DCP Declares Support for Opposition Allies in Key Mini-Polls
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by Rigathi Gachagua, has announced that it will not be fielding candidates in three upcoming by-elections.
Instead, the party has decided to rally behind candidates from allied opposition outfits, a move it says is aimed at strengthening opposition unity ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 10, after chairing a high-level National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Nairobi, Gachagua said the decision was carefully considered and is meant to avoid unnecessary competition among friendly parties.
The NEC resolved that in the Mbeere North Constituency by-election, DCP would step aside in favour of the Democratic Party (DP), which previously held the parliamentary seat.
In the Muumbuni Ward by-election, DCP pledged to support a Wiper Party candidate, while in the Kabuchai/Chwele Ward contest in Bungoma County, the party threw its weight behind a DAP-K aspirant.
“For the sake of unity, we are making deliberate choices in regions where our partners have had strongholds in the past. This should not be mistaken for weakness. It is a demonstration of our commitment to the bigger picture — building a united opposition ahead of 2027,” Gachagua told reporters.
However, Gachagua was quick to clarify that DCP is not backing out of the national political scene.
He emphasised that in other regions across the country, the party will field its own candidates, mobilise its supporters, and use its full machinery to campaign under the DCP banner.
As part of its broader political strategy, the NEC also announced the creation of a well-resourced Electoral Secretariat, which will be based at DCP headquarters.
The unit will be responsible for designing campaign strategies, managing logistics, fundraising, messaging, and strengthening the party’s overall branding.
Additionally, two internal organs of the party — the National Elections Board (NEB) and the Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC) — have been given more powers and resources.
Their role will be to oversee transparent party primaries and resolve any disputes that may arise during the nomination process.
Interestingly, DCP’s decision to withdraw from the Mbeere North race came shortly after the party’s initial candidate, Duncan Mbui, defected. On September 6, Mbui announced that he would contest as an independent candidate, accusing DCP of being unduly influenced by other opposition partners in its decision-making.
Meanwhile, ahead of the November 27 by-elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has released new campaign rules.
According to the guidelines, campaigns will only be permitted between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily, starting from Tuesday, October 8.
The IEBC also directed that individuals seeking to contest as independent candidates must obtain a clearance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties.
The certificate should confirm that the aspirant has not been affiliated with any political party for at least three months prior to the by-election date.
By aligning with opposition allies in selected seats while strengthening its internal structures, DCP signaled that it is positioning itself both as a team player in coalition politics and as a party preparing to grow its independent influence ahead of the 2027 polls.
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