Kenya’s Constitutional Advisor, Makau Mutua, has expressed concern over a reported agreement between the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and Wiper Party, which allegedly cedes all major electoral positions in Nairobi to DCP.
The deal reportedly covers the governorship, Senate, Women’s Representative, most parliamentary seats, and a significant number of County Assembly positions.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua publicly claimed on Sunday that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had effectively handed over Nairobi’s political positions to DCP.
Gachagua noted that even with DCP’s limited success in Mathira, the party is being allowed to contest all top seats in the capital, leaving minimal opportunity for Wiper candidates.
Mutua warned that such arrangements could undermine the competitive nature of elections in Kenya’s largest city.
“Nairobi is not a bank of seats; it should not be allocated through a single political maneuver,” he said, emphasizing that transparency and open contestation are essential for healthy democracy.
Seat-sharing pacts are not new in Kenyan politics and are often employed to prevent opposition vote-splitting or to build strategic alliances.
However, Nairobi has historically been a highly contested political battleground, with outcomes in the capital often influencing national power dynamics.
The alleged DCP-Wiper agreement comes as political parties begin early preparations for the 2027 elections, a period when alliances and regional strategies are closely negotiated.
Mutua’s caution underscores the need for parties to maintain accountability while engaging in coalition politics, especially in multi-ethnic and politically dynamic areas like Nairobi.