Gachagua’s Party Clarifies Withdrawal From By-Election

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has dismissed claims that it has pulled out of the Malava parliamentary by-election.
In a statement, the Rigathi Gachagua-led party confirmed that its candidate Edgar Busiega was firmly in the race, with the party’s Secretary General, Hezron Obaga, describing claims of withdrawal as ‘misleading’.
According to the party, the claims were manufactured by DCP’s political opponents who were allegedly growing unsettled because of the party’s growing influence.
“The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) wishes to inform the public that the reports circulating claiming our candidate for the Malava  Parliamentary race, Edgar Busiega, has withdrawn are false and misleading,” a statement from the DCP on Sunday read.
It went on, “These claims are the result of panic by our competitors, who have sensed defeat in the face of the growing popularity of our candidate. Edgar Busiega remains firmly in the race, and we are confident of victory come 27th November 2027.”
The Malava parliamentary seat was declared vacant following the passing ofMoses Malulu Injendi, whose death was confirmed on Monday, February 17, after weeks of hospitalisation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
A number of candidates are set to battle it out for the seat, among them being Bisiega. Also in the race are Caleb Sunguti, representing the Roots Party, and Joab Manyasi from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).
The ruling UDA party is also preparing to field a candidate through party primaries, with contenders such as Ryan Injendi (son of the late MP Malulu Injendi), Simon Kangwana Chimuche, and David Ndakwa expressing interest.
Seth Panyako, who is affiliated with DAP-K, has also declared his bid.
Rumours that DCP was withdrawing from the Malava parliamentary race appear to have stemmed from the party’s decision to bow out of three by-elections in an open show ofcollaboration with other opposition allies.
After a high-level National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday, September 10, the DCP resolved to support the Democratic Party (DP) in the Mbeere North Constituency by-election, with Gachagua acknowledging that the seat had previously been held by the party.
Similarly, DCP pledged to support the Wiper candidate in the Muumbuni Ward by-election. Finally, the party pledged to support a DAP-K candidate in the Kabuchai/Chwele Ward in Bungoma County.