Mass defection rocks UDA party in Nakuru as leaders shift allegiance to Gachagua’s DCP

As political temperatures continue to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election, Nakuru is witnessing another wave of political realignment, with elected leaders and aspiring politicians gravitating towards parties they believe offer the best chance of electoral success.

The movement, while not new in the political landscape, reflects the strategic repositioning that typically precedes a General Election as politicians seek favorable platforms for re-election or higher office.

A growing number of Nakuru politicians are already charting new political paths, underscoring the fluid nature of party politics as the race to the 2027 General Election gathers momentum.

The 2026 UDA Aspirants Forum report listed hundreds of aspirants seeking the party's endorsement across Nakuru; however, the political landscape has since begun to shift, with several leaders who identified with the ruling party crossing over to the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

Subukia MP Samuel Gachobe is the latest senior Nakuru legislator to publicly declare his intention to seek re-election on a DCP ticket. He was elected on a UDA ticket in the 2022 General Election but has now publicly declared his allegiance to DCP.

“Mimi nitatetea kiti yangu na chama ya DCP... Gachobe atawaonyesha kivumbi kama ile ya Ol Kalou,” he said during a recent public address.

Also listed is Naivasha MP Jayne Wanjiru Kihara, an existing UDA member who moved to the party earlier and is now among those seeking to defend her seat under its banner.

The momentum appears to be extending beyond parliamentary hopefuls to the county assembly level, with several Nakuru MCAs among leaders hosted by DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence on Tuesday.

In a post shared after the meeting, Gachagua said he had received 24 sitting MCAs from Nakuru and Laikipia counties, whom he described as part of a growing political shift from UDA and other parties to DCP.

The Nakuru delegation included Lare MCA Philip Wanjohi Ndiritu, Turi MCA John Mwangi Macharia, Maella MCA Jane Wanjiru Gituku, Kiamaina MCA Paul Kipkorir Tuwei, Elementaita MCA George Wang'ang'a Mwaura, Kihingo MCA Simon Kamau Karanja, Shaabab MCA Wathiai, Mai Mahiu MCA Eliud Kamau Chege, Elburgon MCA Peter Njuguna Mwaura, Subukia MCA Isabella Makori, alongside nominated MCAs Ann Njaguara and Bethsheba Kerubo.

The realignment is also evident at the grassroots, with several current and former local leaders also publicly associating themselves with DCP ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Former Biashara Ward MCA Peter Njoroge Wanyaguthii has declared his intention to seek a political comeback on a DCP ticket, while Stanley Karanja, popularly known as Wamariamu, is flying the party's flag in the Naivasha Ward race.

Murindat Ward MCA PM Njoroge has also identified with DCP as he positions himself for the Gilgil parliamentary contest, indicating that the party's influence is beginning to spread beyond county assembly races.