From Left Mr Ahmed Maalim Hassan (UDA) aspirant in Banisa, President William Ruto, Mr Adan Mohamed Kiongozi (formerly of DCP) and Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif at the State House on September 17, 2025.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), headed by ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has suffered a political blow after its candidate in the Banisa Constituency by-election withdrew from the race.
Mr Adan Mohamed, alias Kiongozi, had been unveiled by Mr Gachagua as the DCP candidate in the race to succeed Kullow Maalim Hassan who died on March 28, 2023.
Speaking exclusively to Nation, Mr Mohamed said he was forced to step down after the Mandera Council of Elders prevailed upon him.
“I have listened to my community, which has asked me to shelve my ambition and wait for 2027. The council of elders, Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif and President William Ruto have all asked me to step down in favour of the United Democratic Movement Alliance Candidate,” he said.
Mr Mohamed maintained that his decision is based on the community interest in Banisa and Mandera at large.
“I have listened to my community. They are telling me to leave this seat to the late MP’s brother and I feel that is the right thing to do,” he said.
The aspirants denied being bought out by the UDA leadership.
“I have heard of reports that I was bribed Sh100 million. I am asking anyone who can get to President William Ruto to ask the same for me because I need it. I was given nothing and my decision is basically over the community interest,” he said.
UDA has Mr Ahmed Maalim Hassan alias Barre as its candidate for the November 27 polls after acquiring him from the Senator Ali Roba-led United Democratic Movement (UDM).
Mr Ahmed Maalim Hassan alias Barre.
Mr Barre is a brother of the late MP Kullow Maalim Hassan.
“I had a discussion with DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua and I informed him of my decision based on my community wishes. I talked to Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka about the same and both leaders have agreed with me on this decision,” he said.
He added, “It is clear that Mr Gachagua cannot go against a decision by his own clan elders and just like him, I cannot disrespect my own council of elders,” he said.
Mr Kiongozi said he has been promised support and an unopposed position in the 2027 General Election in Mandera.
“My community through elders have pledged to support me and give me a political position in 2027. The word is final and I trust them,” he said.
"Wantam gospel"
Mr Mohamed revealed that the gospel of Wantam preached by the opposition is not selling in Mandera and the entire north-eastern region.
“I have realised that what the opposition is pushing in the name of Wantam is not selling in Mandera. Everyone is supporting the President and the Mandera governor for a second term,” he said.
He had chosen DCP after his former party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), entered an agreement with UDA ahead of the by-elections.
“ODM and UDA have agreed to support each other in their strongholds, just like in Magarini where UDA has pledged to support ODM. I bolted out of the ODM to DCP over this arrangement, but I have come to understand what it meant after consulting my community and local leaders,” he said.
Running on the ODM ticket in the 2022 elections, Mr Mohamed managed 7,775 votes while the late Kullow emerged the victor with 13,656 votes.
Other candidates in the 2022 elections were Mr Nurdin Adan Enow alias Dalato (1,429) on the Jubilee ticket and Mr Shabaan Hillow of UDA, who garnered 353 votes.
“I have been a frontrunner in the upcoming by-elections, but due to my community decision, I have withdrawn my candidature,” he said. “It's about showing sympathy to the family of the late MP."
Last week, Mr Mohamed was taken to State House by Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif where they met President William Ruto.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif.
“The President only asked me to step down and promised to support me in the 2027 plan. He promised to ensure my political future remains bright,” he said.
Mr Mohamed said, “I have left DCP and this party for sure is dead in the entire North-Eastern region.”
But the DCP Secretary-General Hezron Obaga accused the State House of engaging in underhand tactics in a number of constituencies ahead of the by-elections.
“Our candidates everywhere are under immense pressure to withdraw from upcoming by-elections and if our Banisa candidate has dropped that it confirms the situation,” Mr Obaga said.
The SG said Mr Mohamed was yet to communicate to the party his current decision, but said a week ago, there were signs that he was under pressure to drop out.
“I have seen pictures of him at the State House, but he is yet to inform us of his decision. The State House is buying our candidates and if Mr Mohamed has withdrawn, then the plan has succeeded,” he said.
Even as Mr Mohamed denied being offered money, DCP SG claimed that those withdrawing from the upcoming by-election are pocketing between Sh10 to Sh15 million from the house on the hill.
“What is happening at the State House confirms that the DCP is a strong party. Mr Mohamed exit leaves us with no option but to let that position be. We are time-bound, which denies us the opportunity to get his replacement,” he said
The IEBC says that a political party intending to present candidates in the by-elections shall, after its party primaries, resolve all intra-party disputes and submit the list of persons nominated to contest in the by-elections to the commission on or before Thursday, October 2, 2025.
Mr Obaga said the party will concentrate on winning the three constituencies of Magarini, Malava and Kasipul, and the 11 wards across the country.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua poses for a photograph after unveiling his new political outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), at the party headquarters in the Lavington, Nairobi, on May 15, 2025.
In Banisa, the move attracted mixed reactions as a section of the locals applauded Mr Mohamed’s decision while others opposed it.
Early this month, the United Democratic Movement (UDM) brigade led by Senator Ali Roba (UDM Leader) and Governor Khalif pitched a camp in Banisa for a week, visiting all the villages and persuading locals to support Mr Barre.
“We concluded our campaign for the upcoming Banisa by-elections on September 13, and agreed that the area MP will be Mr Barre. The community overwhelmingly expressed support for the UDA aspirant,” Governor Khalif said when reached.
Mr Khalif confirmed accompanying Mr Mohamed to the State House last week on Wednesday, where a decision to step down was reached.
“I took him to the State House and we agreed before the President that he would step down for our UDA candidate. We want our candidate to go unopposed,” Governor Khalif said.
On Saturday, during a fundraiser in Nairobi, Governor Khalif announced before President William Ruto that UDA will go unopposed in Banisa.
This signalled that the other candidates in the race would be approached and prevailed upon to step down.
With the exit of Mr Mohamed, Banisa remains with Mr Barre (UDA) Mr Nurdin Dalato, who recently decamped from Jubilee to United Progressive Party (UPA), and Mr Issack Malele of the People Progressive Party (PLP).
Both Mr Malele and Mr Dalato confirmed they would be in the race to the end.
Mr Hassan Bisahr, a resident of Banisa said Mr Mohamed’s decision is the result of a bold and visionary initiative of Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif, who played a decisive role in uniting the Banisa community and ensuring consensus around Mr Barre.
“The news has been received with deep emotions across Banisa and beyond, symbolising not just political consensus, but a reaffirmation of brotherhood, respect, and the spirit of continuity,” he said.
