In what has become a fresh twist in Kenya's political landscape, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha has made the bold move to join former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party, also known as DCP.
This decision comes just about three weeks after Gachagua's party scored a major win in the hotly contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Governor Badilisha announced the move on Wednesday, July 29, saying that he and the entire Nyandarua County Assembly have officially parted ways with the United Democratic Alliance, commonly called UDA.
In his statement, Gachagua expressed his joy at welcoming the governor and his team into the DCP fold. He said Badilisha's move was a clear sign that his party is growing stronger and gaining more support across the Mount Kenya region.
According to Gachagua, the Nyandarua team has promised to defend their seats using the DCP party ticket in the coming elections. He also stated that they will be among the aspirants who will compete during the party's primary elections next year as they prepare for the 2027 General Election.
The latest development comes just four days after Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata officially moved to DCP after leaving President William Ruto's UDA party.
When Kang'ata was welcomed into the party on July 24, he made it clear that he would not run for re-election on the UDA ticket, signalling his full commitment to his new political home.
DCP has been making serious headlines in recent weeks, especially after its candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho Waweru won the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election by a landslide.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Waweru got 35,440 votes, beating his closest rival Samuel Muchina Nyaga from the UDA who managed only 5,450 votes.
This victory was seen as a major boost for Gachagua's newly formed party and proof that it is gaining real influence in the Mount Kenya region.
Gachagua has been actively recruiting leaders from other political parties and strengthening his party's grassroots support ahead of the 2027 elections.
He claims that many other leaders are also planning to leave their current parties to join DCP because they share the same vision for Kenya's future.
When welcoming Badilisha and his team, Gachagua said they are all united on the same wavelength and that they will definitely achieve the best future for the nation through DCP's efforts.
Political observers expect that these recent defections will trigger more political realignments across the country as other parties also try to recruit influential leaders and strengthen their positions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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