The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Leader Rigathi Gachagua (left) with his Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala in Kilifi after the Party Retreat to plan for 2026 Political Calendar on January 19, 2026.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has revealed details of its plan to have the united opposition field joint candidates in five counties across the country to face pro-government politicians in the 2027 General Election.
According to DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, the zoning strategy, if approved by affiliate opposition parties, is intended to nominate strong candidates with higher chances of winning elections in the key cosmopolitan counties.
“We have only spared the five cities in Kenya where we have the cosmopolitan effect and where we can jointly have a candidate. That is Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru Counties,” said Mr Malala during an interview in Kilifi.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala in Kilifi after the Party Retreat to plan for 2026 Political Calendar on January 19, 2026.
The party had initially made similar suggestions last year for political seats in Nairobi, triggering a backlash from allies in parties such as Wiper, Jubilee, Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-Kenya) and United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Mr Gachagua later downplayed the criticism, blaming it on misinformation and saying the proposal was based on political realities that have previously been embraced by coalitions during General Elections.
In Mombasa, DCP has already settled on Nyali Member of the National Assembly Mohamed Ali for the gubernatorial race in a bid to oust ODM's Abdulswamad Nassir. However, Mr Gachagua said they are yet to agree on the party that he will use to vie for the seat.
The legislator won on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in 2022, making him the only MP out of six in Mombasa who is not a member of ODM. He is serving his second term having won as an independent candidate in 2017.
Mr Malala explained that as a party that believes in democracy and inclusivity, free and fair nominations will be conducted to ensure that only strong candidates emerge.
“We are a party that listens to the people and the only way to have representatives of the people is to have free and fair nominations,” he said.
Comprehensive register
He was speaking after a three-day retreat with members of Parliament affiliated with the party, during which he disclosed that preparations for the nominations will commence immediately amid an alleged plot by the State to scuttle the exercise.
The DCP secretariat has also been directed to develop a comprehensive register of members who will then be allowed to seek participation in the 2027 polls.
“Only party members will be allowed to participate in voting during the nominations. We are calling upon all the aspirants to start registration of members because we will be at every polling station,” he added.
One of the action plans agreed upon during the meeting is the opening of satellite DCP offices in 15 counties, with mapping expected to kick off in three months. This will pave the way for the party to be officially launched in the next six months, following a mass registration exercise.
Mr Gachagua, the DCP party leader, was also given the go ahead to start engaging with other political parties and leaders ahead of next year’s elections.
The former deputy president warned that despite plans to weaken the Orange Democratic Movement party, its influence is still being felt.
“If ODM joins UDA then they will be one and the same thing. So, I'm urging the people including those from the Coast to look for parties that fight for the interests of the country,” said the DCP leader.
They are also calling on the United Opposition to desist from naming its presidential candidate until next year to allow room for adequate preparations. This, they say, is due to possible plans by the government to allegedly influence the candidate.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua (left) shares a light moment with DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala in Kilifi yesterday during a retreat to plan the party’s 2026 political calendar.
“We would like to urge our sister parties to consider the resolve DCP has made. We are proposing that individual parties retreat and market their own preferred presidential candidates and later decide on a stronger candidate and name him or her in April next year as the presidential flag bearer of the united opposition,” he added.
He also noted that the DCP will open its doors to leaders and members who had previously exited, dismissing claims of a mass exodus as propaganda by opponents aimed at creating the perception that the party is losing its grip on the populace.
Mr Malala criticised members of parliament who recently broke ranks with the party, accusing them of demanding direct tickets in order to skip the nominations ahead of the 2027 elections. The DCP also accused the National Intelligence Service of strategically placing key political figures close to Mr Gachagua, while affirming its commitment to remain strong and free from state intimidation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
[email protected]
