Kamukunji MP’s defection from Jubilee gives Gachagua an experienced political operator with deep roots in Eastleigh and Nairobi’s Somali and Muslim communities.
ASAL POST | POLITICS
NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has secured a significant political boost in Nairobi after Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan Abdi quit the Jubilee Party and joined Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Hassan was formally received by Gachagua at the DCP headquarters, marking a high-profile defection as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The move gives Gachagua more than an elected Member of Parliament. It gives his rapidly expanding political outfit an experienced and locally rooted political figure in one of Nairobi’s strategically important constituencies.
Hassan has represented Kamukunji since 2011 and has built a reputation as one of Nairobi’s political survivors. He first won the constituency on a PNU ticket before moving to The National Alliance (TNA) in 2013 and later joining Jubilee, under which he secured victories in 2017 and 2022.
His political journey reflects Kenya’s shifting coalition landscape from PNU to TNA, Jubilee and now DCP.
A Strategic Nairobi Foothold
Hassan’s entry into DCP could prove particularly valuable for Gachagua as he seeks to expand the party’s national footprint ahead of 2027.
Kamukunji is a politically and commercially significant constituency encompassing areas such as Eastleigh, Pumwani, California and Airbase. The constituency also has strong links to Nairobi’s Somali and Muslim business communities.
For Gachagua, bringing on board a politician with Hassan’s longevity and constituency-level networks could help the DCP establish a stronger presence in the capital.
The former Deputy President also gains an opportunity to deepen engagement with Somali and Muslim voters, whose political choices could become increasingly significant in Nairobi and beyond as the 2027 contest takes shape.
Why Hassan Chose DCP
Hassan has explained his decision in terms of the desire for political change, saying Kenyans are tired of what he described as bad politics.
He has also pointed to concerns raised by residents, including the high cost of living and corruption, while expressing confidence in Gachagua’s leadership.
His move therefore carries a message beyond his departure from Jubilee.
It signals a growing search among some politicians for new political vehicles ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Another Blow to Jubilee
Hassan’s departure represents another challenge for Jubilee Party, which has struggled to maintain the political influence it enjoyed during its peak years.
The loss of a long-serving elected MP could further fuel questions about the party’s ability to retain its political relevance as politicians assess their positions ahead of 2027.
For DCP, meanwhile, Hassan’s arrival comes at a potentially important moment.
The party has been seeking to build momentum nationally, with its performance in the Ol Kalou by-election providing an early indication of its ability to compete against President William Ruto’s UDA.
Hassan now gives that momentum a prominent Nairobi face.
The Real Test for Hassan
Despite the significance of the defection, Hassan’s political history offers an important caveat.
The Kamukunji MP has changed political parties several times while maintaining his local political base. His longevity has arguably been built more on his relationship with voters than on the strength of any single party brand.
The key question ahead of 2027 will therefore be whether Hassan can transfer some of his political capital and grassroots networks to DCP.
For Gachagua, that is likely to be the biggest prize.
For Jubilee, the loss is both numerical and symbolic.
And for Nairobi, Hassan’s move is another indication that the battle for political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election is already gathering pace.
Gachagua has gained a strategic foothold in Nairobi. Jubilee has lost another experienced political figure. And Yusuf Hassan has once again changed political lanes this time betting on DCP as the vehicle for his next political chapter.
