Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party has made unexpected gains in the November 27 by elections, winning three county assembly seats only seven months after the party was launched.
The party captured seats in Kariobangi North, Narok Town and Kisa East wards, signalling rising support for Gachagua’s new political outfit.
In Kariobangi North, David Warui of DCP won with 2,282 votes. Independent candidate John Katua followed with 1,956 votes, while ODM’s Ouma Majua came third with 1,351 votes. UDA candidate Njoka Maina finished fourth with 955 votes.
In Kisa East, DCP candidate Aduda Okwiri secured victory with 1,952 votes. Joel Ongoro of the Movement for Democracy and Growth received 1,541 votes. This ward became vacant in 2024 after former MCA Peter Maloba died following an attack by unknown individuals.
DCP achieved its strongest performance in Narok Town, where Douglas Masikonde won with 6,007 votes. His closest competitor, UDA’s Kanyike Ole Kudate, received 4,479 votes. Kanyike is the son of the late Lucas Kudate, who served as MCA until his death in February 2025.
In his message to supporters, Gachagua thanked voters for what he described as standing firm against intimidation and bribery, which he said remained common in Kenyan politics.
“Our party, which is the newest kid in the block at only seven months old, defeated parties that have existed for more than twenty years,” he said.
Gachagua personally campaigned in Narok, a contest he had earlier described as highly charged. He claimed that during the last week of campaigns, he was teargassed by police and disrupted by armed youths whom he alleged were sent by the government.
He said he wore a bulletproof vest and a ballistic helmet after receiving information about a threat to his life.
He accused government agencies of trying to prevent him from accessing the town.
After Masikonde was declared the winner, Gachagua claimed that groups linked to the government attempted to burn ballot boxes and KIEMS kits. Electoral officials have not responded to these allegations.
In the days leading up to the vote, Gachagua wrote several letters accusing the state of planning to interfere with the by elections. On November 25, he wrote to IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon, urging the commission to protect its credibility.
“It is upon your commission to earn the trust of the people of Kenya. Your credibility is at stake ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he wrote.
