NAIROBI, Kenya – The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has pulled out of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election and endorsed the Democratic Party (DP) candidate in the November 27 contest.
In a statement on Wednesday, DCP leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the decision was part of efforts to foster cooperation with partners in the United Opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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,” said Gachagua.
He praised DP leader Justin Muturi as “a great leader from that region with enhanced capacity and undoubted leadership qualities to lead the Democratic Party into winning the seat.”
The Mbeere North seat fell vacant after Geoffrey Ruku was appointed by President William Ruto to the Cabinet as Public Service and Human Capital Development Secretary on March 26.
The announcement comes days after DCP’s initial candidate, Duncan Mbui, quit the party and declared he would run as an independent. In a September 6 social media post, Mbui accused DCP of being reduced to “a members’ club” within the United Opposition.
“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… 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,” Mbui wrote.
He added that his campaign, branded the KivuiKivui (mallet) movement, would chart its own path: “We have always been independent and shall win as independent.”
Meanwhile, Gachagua also announced that DCP will back the Wiper Party candidate for the Muguuni ward in Machakos and the DAP-K candidate in Kapchai/Chwele ward in Bungoma.
“For all other elective positions, DCP shall field and mobilise fully to campaign, popularise and seek votes under our party ticket,” he said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has scheduled a total of 16 ward by-elections, six parliamentary by-elections—including Mbeere North—and a senatorial by-election in Baringo County, all set for November 27.
