Political Parties Withdraw from By-Elections and Petition for Funding Changes Ahead of 2027 - September 2025

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by Rigathi Gachagua, has withdrawn its candidates from multiple upcoming by-elections to support allied opposition parties. The party dropped out of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election for the November 27 polls, a decision announced on September 10 as part of a move to foster opposition unity for the 2027 General Elections. In a separate but related development, a coalition of 44 small Kenyan political parties is petitioning Parliament to amend the Political Parties Act 2011. They are seeking what they claim is fair government funding. The parties argue that the current funding structure unfairly favors larger parties, crippling their operational capabilities.