NAIROBI, Kenya- Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan has defected from the Jubilee Party to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), adding to a growing list of Nairobi lawmakers who have shifted political allegiance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He was received by the DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Hassan joins Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje and Starehe MP Amos Mwago, who have also moved to DCP after being elected on the Jubilee ticket associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The defections point to an increasingly fluid political landscape in Nairobi, where parties and politicians are repositioning themselves ahead of the next General Election.
Nairobi has 17 constituencies, making the capital an important battleground for parties seeking to build a national coalition or demonstrate their strength in the country’s most politically influential urban centre.
The latest realignment could set the stage for a three-way contest involving DCP, the Linda Mwananchi movement and an ODM party whose influence in Nairobi has come under pressure.
For DCP, the arrival of established MPs offers an opportunity to build a stronger parliamentary base in Nairobi and position the party as a major force in the capital.
Hassan brings with him considerable political experience. He has represented Kamukunji for several terms and has been a prominent voice on issues affecting Nairobi’s Eastlands constituencies.
Mwenje and Mwago also have established political networks in their respective constituencies, giving DCP a foothold across different parts of the city.
The movement of politicians into DCP is not, however, limited to Jubilee-linked lawmakers.
A number of MPs elected on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket have also shifted allegiance, further complicating the ruling party’s prospects in Nairobi.
The changes are particularly significant because many of UDA’s Nairobi MPs come from the Kikuyu community, which has historically played a major role in the city’s electoral politics.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, popularly known as KJ, is among the notable UDA lawmakers who remains associated with the party.
The defections have therefore raised questions about whether UDA can retain its parliamentary influence in Nairobi in 2027, particularly if the movement of incumbents to rival parties continues.
The political shifts also reflect the broader realignment taking place across Kenya as politicians position themselves for the 2027 contest.
Nairobi’s 17 parliamentary constituencies will be closely watched because of the city’s large and diverse electorate and its influence on national political narratives.
The emerging competition could see parties focus not only on presidential politics but also on constituency-level networks, candidate selection and alliances.
For DCP, the challenge will now be to convert the growing number of high-profile defectors into an organised electoral machine capable of winning seats.
Linda Mwananchi will also be seeking to translate its growing political profile into parliamentary victories, while ODM will be under pressure to defend constituencies where it has traditionally enjoyed strong support.
With less than a year to the 2027 General Election, the movement of sitting MPs suggests that Nairobi’s political map is already being redrawn.
The defections may ultimately determine whether the capital remains dominated by established parties or becomes the centre of a new political contest between DCP, Linda Mwananchi and ODM.
