The DCP party is facing an early test of its internal cohesion as aspirants in Mt Kenya raise concerns over the fairness of its nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The party, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has been positioning itself as a political vehicle of choice in the region, with its leadership targeting to win more than 100 parliamentary seats in next year’s elections.
However, with party primaries still months away, fears of preferential treatment and concerns over the transparency of the nomination process are beginning to surface among aspirants seeking its tickets.
The concerns emerged publicly on Sunday during a political meeting in Murang’a county, where DCP secretary general designate John Methu was pressed to assure aspirants that the party would allow voters to determine their preferred candidates without interference from its leadership.
An aspirant warned that the party risked losing support if its leaders were perceived to be directing voters towards particular candidates.
“I must finish… I must finish! This is our home ground. It is not possible for [the party’s leadership] to come and influence decisions,” the aspirant said.
“There is something I would request you, with all due respect, SG. We respect you, more so, our party leader. You will make the party lose popularity if you will be coming and instructing us whom to elect instead of allowing Wanjiku (wananchi) to make their independent decisions. That is not possible. We have worked very hard.”
The aspirant said concerns had emerged over reports that a candidate had already been endorsed, raising questions about the role of party officials in determining who eventually secures the ticket.
“We don’t have a problem, SG, we don’t have a problem. These people don’t have a problem. There is something they had overheard, and I sent to you via WhatsApp; someone had been endorsed,” the aspirant said.
“The people’s question is: Are they the ones who elect or is it the party? Are they the ones who vote or are they instructed on the person to elect?”
The aspirant urged the party leadership to guarantee a transparent process, warning of possible confrontations if candidates felt the outcome had been predetermined.
“Ensure that you give us free and fair nominations because we shall finish each other here,” the aspirant said, amid cheers.
Methu, who is also the Nyandarua Senator, sought to reassure the gathering that the party would conduct fair nominations, while urging the aggrieved aspirant to express his concerns calmly.
“I have said that our party will be free and fair. So, if you are angry, it can’t be I or the party leader. Speak when you are relaxed,” Methu said.
The nomination concerns have also been compounded by an incident in Nyandarua county, where Ndaragwa parliamentary aspirant Joseph Kamau Njambi, popularly known as Kajambi, was arrested during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ndaragwa Primary School grounds on October 20.
Njambi, who is seeking the DCP ticket, arrived at the venue accompanied by a group of supporters but was stopped at the entrance by security officers and arrested.
The officers were accompanied by individuals wearing reflector jackets and T-shirts associated with his political rival, Mwangi Kagwe, who is seeking the seat on a UDA ticket.
Riot police officers later dispersed Njambi’s supporters as he was taken to Ndaragwa police station, where he was detained before being released on cash bail later in the evening.
Speaking outside the police station after his release, Njambi claimed his arrest was politically motivated, alleging that some of his competitors viewed him as a threat ahead of the DCP nominations.
He also questioned why he had been stopped from attending the celebrations while other aspirants were allowed to bring supporters to the event.
“I know this is politics, but I will not be intimidated. I will soldier on,” Njambi said.
He challenged his competitors to focus on presenting their policies to voters instead of engaging in what he described as political manoeuvres.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest and Njambi’s claims could not be independently established. The allegations against his rivals remain unverified.
The Star reached out to Methu for comment, where he said the party has no preferred candidate.
“The party will conduct a free and fair nominations. The party has no preferred candidates,” said Methu in a text message.
Political observers say the emerging grievances underscore the challenges facing DCP as it seeks to consolidate support across Mt Kenya while managing competition among aspirants seeking its tickets.
Mburu Gichuhi, a political analyst, said the concerns should prompt the party to establish clear and transparent nomination procedures before the contest intensifies.
“These grievances should alert the party to put its nomination procedures in order so as to avert post-nomination fallouts,” Gichuhi said.
The concerns come as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, when competition for parliamentary seats is expected to test their ability to manage competing interests and maintain unity.
