Wamuzi News Ke
In a seismic political shift, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has lost its nominated candidate for the Mbeere North by-election, amid allegations of exclusion and internal sabotage that threaten to destabilize Dr. Rigathi Gachagua’s fragile political standing.
Shock Defection Rocks DCP Campaign
Duncan Mbui, the party’s official nominee for the imminent Mbeere North by-election, has publicly defected and abandoned the DCP. Reports confirm that Mbui has officially joined Moses Kuria’s CCK party, citing unresolved tensions and poor internal processes within DCP as the tipping point.
This unexpected departure comes at a critical moment. The by-election, set to fill the vacancy left by Geoffrey Ruku’s appointment as Cabinet Secretary, now faces serious disruptions to the ruling coalition’s strategy in Embu County.
Gachagua Faces Political Backlash
As the founder of DCP, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is now under intense scrutiny. Political insiders suggest that Mbui’s exit is a clear indictment of Gachagua’s leadership and the party’s credibility. The departure raises urgent questions: Was Mbui’s candidacy undermined from within? Did infighting or mismanagement sow this split?
Wider Implications for the United Opposition Front
This fissure not only dampens Gachagua’s image but also risks casting DCP as unstable and disorganized. With the United Opposition counting on a unified front, Mbui’s decamp could catalyze fresh defections or encourage independents to throw their hats in the ring. The timing couldn’t be worse — just weeks before the election campaigns get underway in earnest.
What’s Driving the Split?
Although DCP leadership has remained mum, the timing suggests internal disagreements over candidate selection may have been the catalyst. Mbui’s public shift to CCK raises the possibility that members felt marginalized or overlooked in party decisions — a scenario that, if true, calls into question the vetting and consensus-building mechanisms under Gachagua’s leadership.
Next Moves: Damage Control or Domino Effect?
- Urgent Damage Control Required — Gachagua must move quickly to salvage the situation or risk seeing more high-profile resignations.
- Signal to Other Parties — Rival camps, including UDA under Kindiki’s stewardship, will likely exploit the rhetoric of instability to weaken DCP’s hold on critical constituencies.
- By-election in Limbo? — Without an endorsed DCP candidate, the ruling coalition may be forced into last-minute reshuffling or litigation to field a credible replacement.
