President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has suffered a fresh political setback after Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe and Lamu Woman Representative Monicah Muthoni Marubu announced their withdrawal from the ruling party.
Photo|Gatundu South MP Gabriel Gagombe.
The two lawmakers cited unfulfilled promises, political exclusion and frustrations with the party’s leadership, raising fresh questions about UDA’s ability to maintain unity as the country heads towards the 2027 General Election.
Kagombe, who has been associated with the ruling party, said he could no longer continue supporting UDA after what he described as failure by the government to deliver on key commitments made to his constituents.
He pointed to the stalled Mau Mau roads and concerns affecting tea farmers as some of the issues that pushed him to abandon the party.
“I can no longer support UDA,” Kagombe said, according to reports, as he explained his decision to distance himself from the ruling party.The Gatundu South MP’s decision is significant given the political importance of the Mt Kenya region, where the Kenya Kwanza administration secured substantial support in the 2022 election.
In Lamu, Marubu also announced that she would not participate in further UDA grassroots elections or party activities, accusing the party structure in the county of creating an environment she could no longer work within.
“With regard to UDA, these grassroots elections have made one reality painfully clear: this political relationship is irredeemably toxic,” Marubu said.
Marubu, who was elected as an independent candidate, said she would instead concentrate on her political career and preparations for the 2027 elections.
Her departure adds another layer to the political challenges facing UDA in the Coast region, particularly as the party seeks to expand its support and strengthen grassroots structures ahead of the next elections.The twin exits have immediately sparked renewed debate over internal party democracy, inclusivity and the government’s record on fulfilling campaign promises.
For UDA, the departures come at a delicate moment when the ruling party is expected to demonstrate unity and consolidate its national support base.The exits by Kagombe and Marubu could therefore become an early warning sign for the ruling party as politicians across the country begin positioning themselves for the 2027 contest.
With the political landscape already shifting rapidly, UDA now faces the task of containing internal discontent while convincing its remaining leaders and supporters that the party remains the strongest vehicle for delivering the government’s agenda.