NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 25 — Kamkunji MP Yussuf Hassan has quit Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) as Gachagua’s party confronts Azimio affiliates over the “King Maker” narrative ahead of the 2027 General Election.

📻 Breaking It Down

Hassan’s defection on Tuesday adds to the DCP’s growing political realignment around former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is seeking to establish the party as a vehicle for his presidential ambitions.

The move comes as opposition parties push to build a united front against President William Ruto, with divisions emerging over who should lead a potential coalition into the 2027 presidential contest.

Gachagua was notably absent from an opposition unity event at Windsor where parties signed a pledge ahead of the elections. DCP Deputy Leader Clephas Malala represented him at the gathering.

📌 What You Need to Know

The former Deputy President has rejected suggestions that his role should be limited to helping another opposition leader defeat Ruto.

“Rigathi is not a kingmaker. Gachagua is king,” he said on Monday.

Gachagua said he had seen supporters of opposition allies advancing what he termed a “ridiculous proposition” that his role was simply to remove Ruto and hand leadership to another politician.

“Many people, including supporters of my colleagues in the United opposition, I have seen them on social media and in public platforms advancing a ridiculous proposition: that his work is to remove William Ruto and give leadership to others,” he said.

His position places his presidential ambitions at the centre of negotiations within the opposition, despite his previous indication that he was willing to work with other leaders to produce a single candidate.

Gachagua is also challenging his impeachment in the Court of Appeal, arguing that his removal from office does not automatically bar him from seeking elective office.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya