Former DP Rigathi Gachagua with a delegation of Northeastern leaders that accompanied DCP aspirant for Banisa by-election Adan Kiongozi at the party headquarters in Nairobi on August 28, 2025Political parties working together in coalitions are headed for bruising contests after failing to agree on single candidates for the upcoming by-elections.
Instead, nearly all major parties have resolved to field candidates across the board as they test their muscle ahead of the 2027 showdown.
With IEBC setting November 27 as polling day for 22 national and county seats, party bigwigs are treating the contests as referendums on their influence in different regions.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party on Thursday invited aspirants to apply for tickets in all vacant seats.
This includes the strongholds of other opposition outfits they
have been collaborating with in what is popularly, if incorrectly, known as the
“united opposition”.
“The Democracy for the Citizens Party hereby invites applications from its members who wish to contest in the forthcoming by-elections under the party's ticket … All applications must be submitted by September 8, 2025 at the party headquarters or via the official Party email,” the notice says.
If the party follows through, it will be battling rivals in Baringo county and the constituencies of Banisa, Kasipul, Magarini, Malava, Mbeere North and Ugunja.
Already in Banisa, DCP is setting up a duel with UDA, which has fronted Ahmed Maalim Hassan.
Adan Kiongozi has declared interest in the DCP ticket.
The strategy places Gachagua’s outfit in direct confrontation not
only with Kenya Kwanza’s UDA and ODM but also with allies in the opposition
coalition.
These include Mbeere North, home turf of former National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi’s DP as well as Malava constituency, the political backyard of Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-K.
Other areas of friction include Machakos, the base of Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Party; and Kisii, where former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is expected to launch his own party.
ODM, under Raila Odinga, also signalled its intent to go flat out.
Secretary General Edwin Sifuna announced after a central committee meeting last week that the orange party will field candidates in all but seven of the 22 electoral areas.
“The NECC has been directed to invite applications from candidates in those areas, save for Magarini constituency and Fafi ward, where it is proposed to issue direct tickets to our 2022 candidates,” he said.
“The ODM Party remains steadfast in its commitment to internal democracy, transparency and the consolidation of its position as the Party of choice for the people of Kenya.”.
Wiper has named Antony Kyalo Kisoi as its candidate for Mumbuni North ward in Machakos, facing UDA’s Misi Mutua, who was announced as its candidate on Thursday.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has pitched camp in Malava, determined to reclaim the seat that fell vacant after the death of Malulu Injendi, formerly of his dissolved ANC Party.
For the Baringo Senate seat, UDA has attracted 12 aspirants to succeed the late William Cheptumo.
Meanwhile, Muturi is gearing up to defend Mbeere North against DCP’s entry.
Last Sunday, he rebuked calls for Mt Kenya leaders to rally behind a single outfit.
“Our Constitution clearly states that Kenya shall be a multi-party democratic state, and every citizen has the right to belong to a political party of their choice,” Muturi said. “I’ve heard some of you suggest that people from Mount Kenya should only rally behind one party. Let me be clear, that is a firm no,” Muturi said during a church service.
