DCP pulls out of three by-elections to back united opposition partners

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala and Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua during a rally in Kakamega County on July 3, 2025. (Photo: DCP)

By Lucy Mumbi
Wednesday, September 10, 2025

The party noted that the resolution followed a National Executive Council meeting where members agreed to step aside in favour of allied parties.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has dropped out of three by-elections, citing the need to consolidate support for coalition partners in the United Opposition.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party noted that the resolution followed a National Executive Council meeting where members agreed to step aside in favour of allied parties.

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DCP confirmed that it would not field a candidate in Muumbini Ward, Makueni County, to support the Wiper Democratic Movement led by Kalonzo Musyoka. The party also announced it was pulling out of the Kabuchai/Chwele Ward contest in Bungoma County in support of Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).

The third withdrawal involves the Mbeere North parliamentary seat, where DCP declared support for the Democratic Party. The seat fell vacant after Geoffrey Ruku was appointed by President William Ruto to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development on March 26, 2025.

The party explained that the decision to step down in favour of coalition partners was part of its broader strategy to strengthen unity within the United Opposition. It also announced the establishment of new internal structures, including a National Elections Board (NEB) and an Internal Disputes Resolution Committee (IDRC), to oversee fair and transparent party primaries. Additionally, it unveiled a fully equipped Electoral Secretariat based at its headquarters.

“This secretariat will coordinate strategy, logistics, messaging, branding and resource mobilisation for all our candidates,” read the statement in part.

Speaking at the party headquarters, DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the decision to back the Democratic Party in Mbeere North was informed by both history and the need to cement relations with opposition allies ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We have agreed that DCP will support the Democratic Party in Mbeere North constituency, acknowledging that the seat was previously held by the Democratic Party and should rightfully be retained for the party’s candidate to complete a full term,” Gachagua said.

“This decision has also been informed by the recognition that Justin Muturi, leader of the Democratic Party, is a great leader from that region with enhanced capacity and undoubted leadership qualities to lead the Democratic Party into winning the seat.”

The withdrawal, however, comes in the wake of internal discontent. DCP’s earlier nominee for the seat, Duncan Mbui, defected and announced he would run as an independent.

In a social media post on September 6, Mbui lashed out at the party, terming it a “members’ club.”

“I have been watching with a keen eye the goings-on at the DCP party and have come to the conclusion that it is a members’ club within the so-called United Opposition,” Mbui wrote.

“The club has been influenced to decide that DCP should not field a candidate in Mbeere North, a decision I view as a deliberate attempt to kill my ambition and that of the KivuiKivui fraternity. Arising from this, we have decided to go independent. We have always been independent and shall win as independent.”

Despite Mbui’s exit, Gachagua maintained that the party would continue rallying behind its allies in specific races while running its own candidates elsewhere.

“For all other elective positions, DCP shall field and mobilise fully to campaign, popularise and seek votes under our party ticket,” he said.