Rigathi Gachagua meets with Mandera elders ahead of Banisa by-elections
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 28, 2025The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has stepped up preparations for the November 2025 by-elections, with party leader Rigathi Gachagua holding a consultative meeting with elders and opinion leaders from Banisa Constituency.
Gachagua met with the leaders on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
“Today, at the Party Headquarters, our Party Leader H.E. @rigathi Gachagua held an engaging and consultative meeting with respected elders and opinion leaders from Banisa Constituency,” DCP Party posted on X on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
“The meeting centred on strengthening unity and deepening grassroots engagement. During the session, the elders commended the party’s vision of inclusivity, good governance, and people-centred leadership.”
The elders also expressed their full backing for DCP’s Banisa candidate, Adan Kiongozi, in the upcoming vote.
They affirmed their confidence in our DCP candidate, Adan Kiongozi, in the upcoming by-elections in November 2025, confident of delivering the seat,” the party said.
DCP faces early test
This latest endorsement comes as the newly launched DCP continues to attract significant attention on the national stage. In July, DCP presented its first batch of aspirants, including Adan Mohamed for Banisa and Edgar Busiega for Malava.
Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala noted at the time that DCP was committed to “nurturing young leadership” and pledged that the party would contest in all pending by-elections across the country.
The Banisa race was triggered by the death of MP Kulow Maalim Hassan in 2023. With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) set to conduct 22 by-elections, including six National Assembly seats, the contests are seen as an early test of DCP’s strength ahead of the 2027 General Election.
However, DCP’s rise has not gone unchallenged. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed the outfit as a party with “no meaningful influence” and urged voters to rally behind President William Ruto’s UDA.
Despite such criticism, Gachagua has continued to consolidate his base, particularly in northern Kenya. His recent reassurance to Somali leaders that his political disputes with Ruto should not be viewed as attacks on their community has also sought to calm tensions in the region.