KILIFI, Kenya — The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) will be officially launched later this year in a major national ceremony that will also unveil its 2027 presidential candidate, party Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala has announced.
Speaking during a retreat bringing together like-minded legislators and senior party officials in Kilifi, Malala said the party had resolved to front Rigathi Gachagua as its presidential flagbearer in the next general election.
“We are intact. I want to state here categorically: I am part of the idea. The day we conceptualised this baby, we were three. I participated in the delivery of this baby. How can I abandon my own baby?” Malala said, dismissing speculation about internal divisions within the party.
He described DCP as a long-term political project built on shared sacrifice and collective ownership, noting that party leaders had used the retreat to map out a clear political roadmap for 2027.
Malala revealed that the launch event would mark a major political moment, formally introducing the party to the country and signalling its readiness to compete for national leadership.
“The resolution of this retreat is clear. The DCP Party will have a presidential candidate in 2027. We are going to officially launch the party, and during that event, we shall unveil our presidential candidate, who is none other than Rigathi Gachagua,” he said.
He added that the party would conduct free, fair and credible nominations, anchored on a verified membership register, to ensure internal democracy and legitimacy.
Malala said he had temporarily slowed down political engagements earlier in the year due to illness but was now fully back and energised to drive the party’s agenda.
“This is a new year. We need a plan. I am back, stronger, and ready to support the party fully,” he told delegates.
The DCP leadership said the party would be open to all Kenyans, positioning itself as a broad national movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
