Malava By-Election: Cracks Emerge in Opposition as Gachagua’s DCP Party Demands DAP-K Withdraw Candidate
Tensions are rising within Kenya’s opposition coalition ahead of the Malava constituency by-election, as Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democratic Conservative Party (DCP) has called on the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) to step down its candidate.
The DCP, a relatively new entrant in the political arena aligned with Gachagua, claims that fielding multiple opposition candidates in Malava will divide votes and hand an easy win to the ruling coalition. Party officials insist that DAP-K’s presence in the race is “selfish and detrimental” to opposition unity.
DAP-K, however, has rejected the demand, affirming that its candidate will remain on the ballot and accusing DCP of political intimidation and attempting to dominate opposition decision-making.
The by-election has now become a flashpoint for emerging rifts within the opposition, as the two parties trade accusations and struggle to present a united front against government-backed candidates. Political observers warn that the divisions could weaken the opposition’s performance and embolden the ruling party’s grip on power in Western Kenya.
