Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has officially unveiled Nyali Member of Parliament (MP) Mohamed Ali as the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at PCEA Zimmerman in Roysambu Constituency, Nairobi, Gachagua endorsed the second-term Nyali legislator, popularly known as Moha Jicho Pevu, as his party’s flagbearer for the top seat in the coastal county.

“Huyu kijana anaitwa Mohamed Ali, AKA Moha, AKA Jicho Pevu. Huyu ni mjumbe wa Nyali for the second time, na yeye ndio candidate wangu wa kiti cha gavana katika Mombasa County,” Gachagua told congregants.

Gachagua further noted that he would consolidate both Muslim and Christian votes behind the Nyali MP.

“So wewe Moha, sitakutoa kwa uislamu kwa sababu nahitaji kura yao, nitakuongeza za wakristo alafu utapita,” he said.

Mohamed Ali clarifies Gachagua’s position

However, Mohamed Ali, through his official X account, has appeared to distance himself from claims that he had formally become DCP’s gubernatorial flagbearer, clarifying that Gachagua had only pledged to support his candidature.

Moha Jicho Pevu was responding to journalist Stephen Letoo, who had posted an update following Gachagua’s endorsement.

“@StephenLetoo Kuja tu kwa siasa badala ya kujificha kwa propaganda ya serikali ukiahidiwa certificate ya MP. Ama ukuje unihoji kama utapewa mic na camera nikuambie ukweli wa mambo. Ur a journalist, but of late you have been behaving like a quack. Rigathi Gachagua amesema he is supporting my candidature. Ni nini huelewi?” Mohamed Ali stated.

Mohamed Ali’s political journey

Mohamed Ali, a former investigative journalist turned politician, has served as Nyali MP for two terms and remains a prominent political figure at the Coast. The lawmaker won in 2017 as an independent candidate after failing to clinch the ODM party ticket, and won a second term in 2022 under the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

He is now seeking to unseat Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir of ODM as the Mombasa Governor in the upcoming 2027 General Election.