Hassan, who was elected on a Jubilee ticket in the 2022 General Election, joined DCP on Tuesday and was formally welcomed by party leader Rigathi Gachagua at the party headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi.
However, Jubilee Nairobi Chairperson Paul Kados, who is also the Mihango Ward MCA, dismissed concerns over the impact of the defection, maintaining that the party remains firmly established across the capital.
Kados said Jubilee would not be distracted by individual departures and would instead concentrate on rebuilding its structures and preparing for the 2027 General Election.
“The party will field candidates in all elective seats across Nairobi,” Kados said, signalling Jubilee’s intention to mount a strong challenge for parliamentary, county assembly and other elective positions across the city.
Jubilee Steps Up Nairobi Mobilisation
Hassan’s departure comes as DCP intensifies efforts to expand its influence in Nairobi, with several legislators and political leaders increasingly aligning themselves with Gachagua ahead of the 2027 polls.
Hassan said his decision to join DCP was influenced by what he described as the party’s commitment to integrity and better leadership. He also cited the rising cost of living and what he termed increasing corruption as among the issues behind his political shift.
Jubilee, however, appears determined to prevent the defection from affecting its preparations for the next election.
The party has been repositioning itself and strengthening its structures as it seeks to retain its political foothold in Nairobi and defend seats won under its ticket in the 2022 elections.
Kados has also been tasked with a bigger role in coordinating Jubilee’s political activities in the capital, including efforts to mobilise members and prepare candidates for the 2027 contest.
DCP Gains Nairobi Foothold
While Jubilee has sought to minimise the significance of Hassan’s departure, his move provides DCP with another high-profile political figure in Nairobi.
The Kamukunji MP is a long-serving legislator who has represented the constituency since 2011, making his entry into Gachagua’s party potentially significant as DCP seeks to establish a national political footprint.
The defection is therefore likely to intensify competition between DCP, Jubilee and other political formations seeking to control Nairobi’s parliamentary and county assembly seats in the 2027 General Election.
