Nairobi Deputy Governor James Njoroge Muchiri is reportedly considering his political options, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) emerging as a possible destination following Governor Johnson Sakaja’s move from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Muchiri’s political silence and declining public visibility have sparked fresh questions about his relationship with Sakaja, with people close to the deputy governor claiming he has increasingly been sidelined in the running of the Nairobi County Government.
His political future has attracted growing attention, particularly after he failed to feature prominently in Sakaja’s recent political engagements, culminating in the governor’s formal reception into ODM.
On Saturday, October 31, Sakaja attended an ODM rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi, where he asked supporters whether he should remain in UDA, join Gachagua’s DCP or move to ODM.
The gathering was part of activities marking one year since the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Sections of the crowd urged Sakaja to join ODM, with the governor subsequently invoking the popular expression that the voice of the people is the voice of God.
On Monday, November 2, Sakaja formalised his political shift when he was received at ODM headquarters, Chungwa House, by senior party officials led by Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati.
The governor attributed his decision partly to the influence of the late Raila Odinga, saying the former Prime Minister had encouraged him to join the Orange party.
Muchiri’s absence from the high-profile engagements has, however, raised eyebrows, particularly given his position as the county’s second-in-command and his own political ambitions.
Muchiri’s gubernatorial ambitions
Muchiri’s political ambitions are not new. In February 2026, he registered as one of the aspirants seeking the Nairobi gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket.
He was among eight aspirants who registered for the party’s gubernatorial nomination and subsequently attended a meeting with President William Ruto at State House.
His decision was politically significant because it placed him in the same gubernatorial contest as Sakaja, who was then expected to seek a second term on the UDA ticket.
Sakaja had previously defended his deputy’s decision to register as a gubernatorial aspirant, saying he had encouraged him to do so because there was no available position for a deputy governor.
The governor’s subsequent departure from UDA and entry into ODM have now introduced a new dimension to Muchiri’s political calculations.
Allies raise concerns over sidelining
People said to be close to the Deputy Governor claim he has increasingly been pushed to the margins of the county administration, raising questions about his influence within City Hall.
They argue that despite holding the constitutionally established office of Deputy Governor, Muchiri has not enjoyed the political visibility and prominence ordinarily associated with the position.
His allies also believe Sakaja’s decision to join ODM without a corresponding public show of political unity with his deputy could further complicate their relationship.
The allegations have not been independently established, and neither Sakaja nor Muchiri has publicly confirmed a breakdown in their working relationship.
Is DCP Muchiri’s next political destination?
With Gachagua’s DCP positioning itself as an alternative political vehicle ahead of the 2027 General Election, Muchiri is reportedly weighing his options as Nairobi’s political landscape undergoes significant changes.
A possible association with DCP would represent a major departure from his earlier UDA gubernatorial ambitions and could place him in a different political camp from his current boss.
It would also introduce another potentially significant player into the race for Nairobi governor, which is already attracting interest from politicians across different political formations.
However, Muchiri has not formally announced plans to join DCP, and the reported consultations should not be mistaken for a confirmed political defection.
For now, his political silence, absence from Sakaja’s recent ODM engagements and the grievances expressed by his allies have added another layer of uncertainty to Nairobi’s unfolding gubernatorial contest.
With the 2027 elections approaching, attention is turning to whether Muchiri will remain within the political establishment that brought him to City Hall, pursue his gubernatorial ambitions through another party or chart an entirely different political path.
