DCP aspirants pledge fair primaries as competition for Meru tickets intensifies
A section of DCP Aspirants in Meru county at the Kinoru Gardens Hotel where they addressed the press. Photo by Brian Gitonga
Candidates seeking the party’s nominations in Meru County have been assured that members, not party bosses, will choose who flies the flag in 2027
By Brian Gitonga
Democracy for the Citizens Party aspirants in Meru County have pledged that nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election will be free and fair, assuring candidates that party members will have the final say in choosing who carries the DCP ticket.
Speaking at a press briefing at Kinoru Gardens on Saturday, the aspirants, led by DCP Meru County Secretary General Kirimi Muthamia, said the meeting was designed to reassure those seeking various elective positions that the nomination process would be transparent and driven by the choice of members.
Muthamia said the assurance was particularly important given Meru’s history of contested party nominations. He cited the experiences under parties that have dominated the region across successive election cycles, saying DCP intended to do things differently.
“We have a history in Meru of nominations that have not been fair under previous parties, ranging from TNA and Jubilee to UDA. We want to ensure that DCP conducts honest, transparent and fair nominations,” Muthamia said.
He said the aspirants present would work alongside candidates across the county to preserve unity as competition for DCP tickets gathered pace, adding that multiple candidates pursuing the same position should not become a source of division within the party.
Those at the meeting also agreed on the importance of mutual respect among candidates seeking different positions, including governor, senator, Member of Parliament and Member of County Assembly, with internal competition not allowed to undermine the party’s cohesion ahead of the General Election.
Muthamia also announced his own bid for the Meru gubernatorial seat on a DCP ticket, saying fellow aspirants had assured him of cooperation as they recruit members and build support for their respective campaigns ahead of nominations.
He said DCP party leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had given aspirants a firm assurance that members would determine candidates during nominations, with no parallel process being used to handpick those who would contest on the party ticket.
“Our party leader has assured us that nominations will be conducted by the members. There will be no shortcuts or any other way around the process,” Muthamia said.
He added that the party would intensify membership recruitment across Meru County as preparations for nominations continued. DCP currently has around 10,000 members in the county and is targeting 30,000 by March 2027.
South Imenti parliamentary aspirant Daniel Kinyua Marete said candidates should not be unsettled by the growing field of contenders for DCP tickets, arguing that the nomination process existed precisely to let members decide who should represent the party.
“In my constituency, several aspirants are interested in the same position under DCP. We will go through the nominations together, and whoever wins will become the party’s candidate at the ballot,” Marete said.
Marete said he was among the first to declare interest in the South Imenti parliamentary seat under DCP, but that others had since entered the race. He said their arrival should not be read as a threat, since all candidates would have an equal opportunity to seek member support.
He added that allowing several candidates to compete for the same ticket was a demonstration of the party’s commitment to genuine nominations rather than selecting individuals behind closed doors.
Abothuguchi Central MCA aspirant Kendi Muthuri struck a note of caution, however, calling for greater inclusion of aspirants in party activities. She said candidates seeking different positions should be informed whenever senior aspirants conducted political activities in their areas.
“We want inclusivity in the party’s activities. You cannot have a situation where a gubernatorial aspirant visits my area and I am not aware. That is why we are asking for inclusivity,” Kendi said.
The aspirants said sustained consultation among candidates would be essential in maintaining cohesion as DCP expanded its membership and prepared for what they described as competitive nominations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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