NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hailed the performance of DCP Party candidate Vincent Rotich in the Emurua Dikirr by-election, saying the results signal a major political shift in the South Rift region.
In a statement released on Friday, Gachagua said Rotich’s 10,760 votes were “no mean feat” in a region he claimed had for decades remained politically neglected.
He praised the DCP campaign team, particularly women supporters, for what he described as relentless grassroots mobilisation, including campaigning during late hours.
“The DCP Party has made a heroic entry in Kenyan politics,” Gachagua said, adding that the party was rapidly becoming a credible alternative for leaders and voters dissatisfied with the ruling establishment.
The former deputy president said the by-election outcome reflected a growing desire among Kenyans for issue-based politics focused on healthcare, education, security and opportunities for young people, rather than ethnic or regional interests.
Gachagua also accused President William Ruto’s allies of attempting to influence the vote through alleged bribery using local administrative structures, including chiefs, village elders and Nyumba Kumi officials.
He claimed millions of shillings were distributed to voters on the eve of the election, though he did not provide evidence for the allegations.
The by-election was widely seen as an early political test for emerging opposition movements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua described the people of Emurua Dikirr as “heroes of the nation” for resisting intimidation and voting independently.
He also announced plans to visit the constituency after returning from an overseas trip to the United Kingdom to personally thank supporters who campaigned for Rotich.
The DCP Party, which marked its first anniversary on Friday, has recently intensified efforts to expand its influence beyond its perceived political bases as competition for the 2027 elections begins to take shape.
