Will UDA defectors get political acceptance in Mt Kenya?

By Newsflash Writer

The decision by some of President William Ruto’s fiercest political defenders from the Mt Kenya region to quit the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has triggered questions about whether their late political realignment will win them acceptance from a region that appears to be rapidly shifting away from the ruling party.

The defections come at a politically sensitive moment, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) increasingly presenting itself as a major political vehicle in Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Since Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024, a section of Mt Kenya MPs who supported and voted for his removal emerged as some of Ruto’s most vocal defenders.

They backed the Kenya Kwanza administration and defended its policies even as dissatisfaction with the government grew among sections of their constituents.

Now, some of the same politicians are making another political turn.

Among them are Gatundu South MP GG Kagombe and Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu, who have announced their departure from UDA. While Marubu hails from Lamu in the Coast region, the county is often viewed as an extension of Mt Kenya due to its large Kikuyu population. Their moves have been interpreted by some observers as an attempt to reconnect with voters at a time when DCP is gaining ground in the region.

From Ruto allies to defectors

On Tuesday, August 11, Kagombe, who was elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, announced that he had quit the party, citing what he described as the government’s failure to deliver meaningful development to Gatundu South despite the constituency’s strong support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“The people of Gatundu South have supported this government, but what have they received in return?” Kagombe posed, as he questioned the government’s development priorities.

His decision is significant because Kagombe has been among Ruto’s outspoken defenders, particularly during periods when the administration faced mounting criticism from the Mt Kenya region.

Marubu, meanwhile, cited what she described as ethnic exclusion within UDA, accusing the party’s Deputy Party Leader and Lamu Governor Issa Timammy of marginalising the Kikuyu community in the county.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei. Photo/Handout

She also accused Timammy of using his position in the party to push for a reversal of an electoral outcome that did not favour his political interests.

Marubu further alleged that calls for fresh grassroots elections were selective, targeting Lamu West, which she regards as her political stronghold, while leaving Lamu East untouched.

But beyond the reasons given by the defectors lies a bigger political question: Can voters who have already made up their minds about the Kenya Kwanza administration easily forgive politicians who defended it for years?

At a recent DCP meeting in Nyeri, senior party officials were reportedly divided over whether to admit UDA defectors.

Some feared that the newcomers could be State operatives attempting to penetrate the opposition outfit under the guise of disgruntled former government allies.

That suspicion has been reinforced by earlier remarks from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who in May said UDA would sponsor candidates across Mt Kenya to neutralise DCP’s growing influence.

“As a government, Mt Kenya is a stronghold of UDA. We will not allow anybody or some individuals to masquerade. We are going to have our candidates in UDA and also in DCP, but they sing UDA at night,” Cherargei said.

His remarks have fuelled suspicion around politicians seeking DCP tickets after previously enjoying close relations with the Ruto administration.

Trust remains the biggest hurdle

Former Kirinyaga Woman Representative Wangui Ngirichi, who is now seeking the DCP ticket for the gubernatorial contest against Senator Kamau Murango, has similarly been labelled a “State mole” by some political actors because of her perceived proximity to the administration.

Whether such accusations will have a lasting impact remains to be seen. However, political analysts argue that the defectors face an uphill task rebuilding credibility among voters who may regard their political repositioning as opportunistic.

“It will be difficult to get political support they enjoyed in 2022. They will still be viewed as State political projects,” says Gichoni Mwangi, a political analyst.

The challenge for the defectors is therefore not simply joining a new party. It is convincing voters that their political convictions have genuinely changed.

Mt Kenya voters have historically demonstrated an ability to shift political allegiance when they perceive that their interests are no longer being served.

The rise of DCP has created a new political centre of gravity, but joining the party does not automatically guarantee its supporters will transfer their loyalty to former UDA politicians.