The decision by former gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa to ditch the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party for the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) ahead of the 2027 general elections has rattled the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in Kilifi County.
Ms Jumwa, who is currently the Kenya Roads Board chairperson, intends to vie for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat against Governor Gideon Mung’aro of ODM in 2027. She made the decision strategically in case UDA decides not to field a candidate in Kilifi based on the party’s dalliance with ODM under the broad-based agreement, as witnessed during the November 27 Magarini constituency by-election.
However, ODM leaders, led by Governor Mung’aro, dismissed the move as a strategic blunder. The leaders said the strength of the ODM-UDA cooperation was evident from the by-elections results.
“The other day in the Magarini by-election, you honoured me greatly by defeating the opponents by over 9,000 votes. Therefore, as the ODM Chairman, I urge you to stay put because we have our goals. This will ensure that when 2027 arrives, we will sit at the negotiating table on a strong position,” said Mr Mung’aro.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho meeting Former Cabinet Secretary for Gender Aisha Jumwa during an event to celebrate Raila Odinga's 81st birthday in Kilifi on January 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Kevin Odit | Nation Media Group
Some politicians who intended to vie for seats in the by-elections through parties affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza coalition, such as PAA’s Michael Kingi in Magarini, got state appointments after withdrawing their candidature. The former PAA candidate was appointed as a commissioner in the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The issue of zoning in 2027, whereby regions are reserved exclusively for political parties within coalitions, has already drawn mixed reactions. Some ODM members, led by the party's chairperson Gladys Wanga have openly called for zoning , but their counterparts in UDA led by Secretary-General Hassan Omar, are adamant that their party will field candidates nationwide.
Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga questioned the motives of those promoting PAA in Kilifi. The party, formed in October 2021, was founded by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
Aisha Jumwa, then the MP for Malindi, during a Kenya Kwanza campaign rally at Karatina town on May 21, 2022.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
His counterpart, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, said Governor Mung’aro will remain their spokesperson and any politician seeking local support must work through him. She noted that President Ruto had shown support for the region by appointing political heavyweights like Hassan Joho (Mining) and Salim Mvurya (Sports) to the Cabinet, among other state appointments made to Coast leaders.
