The DCP, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, marked a notable milestone in the recent Magarini by-election after its candidate, Stanley Kenga, secured a credible second-place finish.
The by-election, held on Thursday, was won by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), maintaining the party’s hold in the constituency.
Despite not clinching victory, Gachagua hailed Kenga’s performance, describing it as a strong result for a relatively new political outfit with minimal prior presence in the coastal region.
“For a new party with no previous inroads in the Coast, a credible second is more than acceptable,” he said in a statement shared on social media.
The outcome has energized DCP’s plans to expand its footprint along the Kenyan coast, a region historically dominated by ODM and other established parties.
Gachagua confirmed that he would spend the holiday season engaging local leaders, potential aspirants, and stakeholders to establish party offices and strengthen grassroots networks in key coastal counties.
Kenga’s showing demonstrates that even newly formed parties can gain traction if they present credible candidates and organized campaigns.
The Magarini by-election, triggered by a vacancy in the National Assembly, drew attention as a test of party influence and voter loyalty in Kilifi County.
While ODM retained the seat, DCP’s performance is being interpreted as an early indicator of the party’s potential for broader regional influence in future elections.
Gachagua’s announcement of targeted engagement and the establishment of party structures in the coast underscores the strategic intent to convert this initial momentum into tangible political presence.
The party plans to leverage this foundation to identify candidates for upcoming electoral contests, aiming to expand its national reach.