Adam Mohamed, also known as Kiongozi, the Democracy for Citizens’ Party (DCP) candidate for the Banisa Constituency by-election in Mandera County, has officially withdrawn from the race, marking a significant setback for former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s newly formed party.
Mohamed’s decision comes weeks after his nomination by the DCP and shortly following a visit to State House, where he was pictured alongside President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) rival, Ahmed Barre Maalim Hassan.
The visit has sparked speculation over whether it influenced his withdrawal, though Mohamed has not publicly confirmed this as the reason.
Before stepping down on August 5, Mohamed had strongly affirmed his commitment to contesting the seat.
“The people of Banisa have told me that I should be on the ballot with this party called DCP. So I want to tell people who are spreading rumours that there is no day under this sun.
No person can push me to pull out of this race,” he said at the time. Mohamed also called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to act promptly, noting that Banisa had been without representation for nearly three years following the death of MP Kullow Maalim Hassan in May 2023.
The Banisa seat is now expected to proceed without Mohamed as a candidate, weakening DCP’s position in what would have been its first electoral test since its establishment in May this year.
This development follows a similar exit in the Mbeere North by-election, where Duncan Mbui, a leading DCP aspirant, also left the party. Mbui criticised the DCP as operating like a “members’ club controlled by a few individuals,” citing repeated frustrations within the party as his reason for quitting.
He confirmed he would now run as an independent candidate while remaining determined to secure the parliamentary seat.
The twin withdrawals underline challenges for Gachagua’s fledgling party, which had aimed to establish a strong presence in upcoming by-elections. Analysts suggest the exits could affect DCP’s credibility and electoral momentum as it navigates its first major political contests.
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