Gachagua Vows Transparent, Merit-Based Nominations Ahead of 2027 Elections

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has pledged a transparent and merit-based nomination process for the 2027 elections, following protests over a recent leadership change in Meru County.

Addressing over 200 aspirants on Saturday, 6 September, Gachagua reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity in selecting candidates. He emphasised that no aspirant would receive preferential treatment based on political connections or personal loyalty. 

“We are committed to fostering a fair and inclusive process that upholds the values of our party and ensures the best leadership for our future,” he said.

The meeting was convened amid growing dissatisfaction among party members in Meru, where the sudden replacement of County Chairperson Timothy Githinji with James Mithika has led to internal friction. Local members have raised concerns about a lack of consultation and transparency in the decision, claiming it violated procedural norms. Several aspirants have voiced fears that such unilateral decisions could compromise the integrity of upcoming nominations. 

“If the chairperson can be changed at night, I speculate that we will even be denied the party tickets,” said Benjamin Kimathi, one of the attendees.

The leadership change has exposed internal tensions within the DCP, particularly regarding the balance between national leadership and grassroots participation. Some members argue the move undermines trust in the party’s democratic processes. Gachagua praised the aspirants for their role in building party membership and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining integrity within party structures.