Who is influencer Mercy Masai and why has her move to DCP shocked many?

Mercy Nashipai Legilisho, popularly known as Mercy Masai, is one of Kenya’s prominent X influencers, with more than 151,000 followers on her verified account.

Born on April 7, 1998, in Kajiado County, the content creator, philanthropist, psychologist, author and aspiring politician has built her public profile through posts on social issues, youth empowerment, community work and her personal journey.

Beyond social media, Masai is the founder of the Mercy Mission Foundation, which campaigns against female genital mutilation (FGM), supports rescued girls with education, sanitary towels and uniforms, and assists orphans.

She also serves as Communications Director of the Kenya Judo Federation and is the author of The Nomadic Girl. She has also worked as a psychologist, farmer, actress and model.

In May 2026, Masai formally declared her intention to contest the Kajiado County Woman Representative seat in the 2027 General Election under the slogan “Hope in Action.” Her campaign has focused on education, healthcare and breaking clan and tribal barriers.

Her association with Oscar Sudi

For more than a year, Masai was publicly associated with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, one of the prominent supporters of President William Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Their association became a subject of considerable discussion on social media, particularly after the two were seen together on several occasions. Romantic rumours intensified after Masai shared photos from what appeared to be dates with Sudi in 2025.

Masai, however, maintained that the two were friends.

The speculation became so persistent that she eventually addressed it publicly.

On August 5, 2026, Masai responded to claims that she was romantically involved with Sudi in a video filmed inside her car.

While casually eating a passion fruit with a spoon, she questioned the public’s fascination with the rumours and pushed back against people calling her a “side chick.”

“What is the obsession with Mercy and Oscar side chick?” she questioned.

Masai appeared unfazed by the speculation and even joked about the labels being used against her.

From UDA associations to DCP

Although Masai has said she was never formally a member of UDA, her public proximity to Sudi led many people to associate her with the political circles supporting the Ruto administration.

That political perception changed dramatically on Sunday, August 16, 2026, when Masai announced that she had joined former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

She also confirmed that she would seek the Kajiado Woman Representative seat on a DCP ticket.

Gachagua welcomed her decision and praised her for listening to the people of Kajiado.

Why her move shocked many

Masai’s decision to join DCP surprised many Kenyans because of the political image she had developed through her previous association with Sudi.

Sudi is one of the most vocal supporters of William Ruto and the UDA administration. Masai’s frequent public interactions with him had therefore placed her, in the eyes of many social media users, within the ruling party’s wider political orbit.

Her sudden move to Gachagua’s DCP therefore appeared to represent a significant political shift. Some social media users even jokingly called her a “mole” for UDA, questioning whether her previous association with the ruling side had been more politically significant than she had suggested.

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