A political tremor rumbled through Kenya’s grassroots last week as a new party, led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, captured three county assembly seats in hotly contested by-elections. The victories, though small, are being interpreted as a significant statement of intent from a political outfit barely seven months old.

For the residents of Kariobangi North in Nairobi, Narok Town, and Kisa East in Kakamega, these results are more than just political scorekeeping. The election of a Member of County Assembly (MCA) is the most direct link citizens have to devolved government, influencing everything from local road repairs to market stall allocations and bursary funds. The question now is whether these new leaders can translate campaign promises into tangible improvements that put food on the table.

A Foothold in the City and Beyond

In Nairobi’s Kariobangi North, a densely populated, low-income area, DCP’s David Warui secured victory with 2,282 votes. For a community grappling with challenges like affordable energy and youth empowerment, a change in local leadership offers a glimmer of hope for more responsive service delivery. Gachagua celebrated the win as the start of a journey to expand the party's influence in the capital, a claim that has already sparked political fireworks.

The victory in Narok Town was equally significant. Douglas Masikonde of the DCP won with 6,007 votes, defeating the candidate from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The campaigns in Narok were reportedly shaped by development promises and clan-based endorsements, highlighting the intensely local nature of these contests. The DCP's success here suggests a crack in the established political order.

• Kariobangi North, Nairobi: David Warui (DCP) - 2,282 votes
• Narok Town, Narok: Douglas Masikonde (DCP) - 6,007 votes
• Kisa East, Kakamega: Aduda Okwiri (DCP) - 1,952 votes

More Than a Local Fight

Gachagua has asserted that these wins demolish the narrative that his party is a regional outfit, instead positioning it as a growing national force. “Our party, the newest kid on the block...whitewashed old parties,” Gachagua noted, framing the victories as a rejection of the status quo. However, the aftermath has not been without turmoil. A thanksgiving service for the newly elected Kariobangi North MCA was marred by violence, with Gachagua alleging the chaos was orchestrated to intimidate residents who voted against the ruling party.

Political analysts see these by-elections, held on November 27, 2025, as a barometer for the political climate leading up to the 2027 general elections. While the ruling UDA and the established ODM party secured the majority of the 24 contested seats nationwide, the DCP's targeted wins have undeniably made it a new player to watch on the political stage.

The high turnover rate for MCAs in Kenyan elections—where voters often send home incumbents judged to have performed poorly—underscores the pressure these new DCP representatives will face. Their performance in delivering tangible development to their wards will be the ultimate test of whether this nascent political movement has a future.