Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan Joins Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan defects from Jubilee to Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP, signaling shifting political tides in Mt Kenya ahead of 2027 elections.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 25, 2026
2 min read
Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan has officially left the Jubilee Party to join the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The announcement was made during a gathering in Nairobi where Gachagua personally welcomed Hassan into the party.
The move underscores the growing influence of the DCP in the Mt Kenya region, which has seen a surge in defections from established parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. This trend follows the party’s significant victory in the Ol Kalou Constituency by-election, where DCP candidate Sammy Waweru defeated the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) by a wide margin.
Shifting Political Landscape in Mt Kenya
- Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha and Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang'ata have also joined the DCP from UDA.
- Eleven MCAs from Kirinyaga County and ten from Kajiado County, previously affiliated with UDA, ODM, and Jubilee, have defected to the DCP.
- Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe recently switched allegiance from UDA to the DCP, reflecting the party’s expanding base.
The July Ol Kalou by-election, where the DCP secured a decisive victory, is viewed by party leaders as a clear indicator of the region’s political future. The result has intensified challenges for UDA legislators in Mt Kenya, as the party’s popularity declines amid internal divisions and Gachagua’s rising prominence.
Yusuf Hassan’s Political Journey
Yusuf Hassan has represented Kamukunji Constituency for several terms under different party banners. He was first elected in 2011 on a Party of National Unity ticket, re-elected in 2013 with The National Alliance, and subsequently won in 2017 and 2022 on the Jubilee Party ticket.
Throughout his parliamentary career, Hassan has served on multiple committees including Defence and Foreign Relations, Appointments, Constitutional Oversight, Delegated Legislation, and Budget and Appropriations.
His defection from Jubilee comes at a time when the party, led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, is losing ground in its traditional Mt Kenya stronghold to the DCP. Analysts suggest this shift could reshape urban political dynamics ahead of the upcoming elections.
