EALA MP Kanini Kega defects to Gachagua's DCP party
Politics
By
Raymond Muthee
| Feb 04, 2026
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega has officially joined the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
In a message shared online, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua welcomed the former Kieni MP, describing the party as a political home for progressive leaders.
“Welcome home Hon Kanini Kega. DCP Party is the home of progressive leaders who desire leadership in the future,” Gachagua wrote.
Kega’s entry into the party comes as DCP intensifies efforts to position itself as an inclusive political platform ahead of the 2027 General Election, with a focus on fair competition and backing committed leaders.
Supporters online reacted with excitement.
“Welcome to the winning team,” Facebook user Tmk Nthiani commented.
Born James Mathenge Sebastien, Kanini Kega rose to national prominence as a key loyalist of the Jubilee Party.
He was first elected to the National Assembly in 2013 as Kieni MP during the Uhuru Kenyatta–William Ruto alliance and went on to serve two terms.
During his time in Parliament, Kega emerged as a powerful political operator and a vocal defender of President Kenyatta’s administration, eventually rising to chair the influential Budget and Appropriations Committee.
He also served as Jubilee Party’s Director of Elections.
However, his grip on Kieni ended in 2022 when he lost the seat to UDA’s Njuguna Wambugu as the “yellow wave” swept across the Mt Kenya region.
Kega’s political career was quickly revived after Parliament elected him to represent Kenya at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha, Tanzania.
In recent years, he has been at the centre of a fierce leadership battle over the future of the Jubilee Party.
Following the 2022 elections, Kega led a faction pushing for closer cooperation with the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, a move that put him on a collision course with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni.
His latest political shift comes amid changing alliances and just a day after Azimio coalition parties underwent a major leadership shake-up.
The changes, ratified during a joint session of the Azimio Council and National Executive Committee on February 2, 2026, were presided over by former President Kenyatta.
In a bid to steady the coalition following the death of Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka was appointed the new Azimio Party Leader.
The overhaul also saw Suna East MP Junet Mohamed dropped as Secretary-General and replaced by Suba MP Caroli Omondi, while former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia was named Executive Director.
Photos: Courtesy/Facebook