An implosion looms in President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as key allies begin laying ground for a possible exit ahead of the General Election in 2027.
Some UDA leaders holding strategic positions in the party and Parliament have in recent months become critics of the government, opening a new battlefront for a President already under siege from a group allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua .
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who by virtue of his position as Senate Majority Whip is among the Kenya Kwanza administration’s bigwigs, is the latest to fall out with the government following his attack on a programme championed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki .
On Tuesday, Dr Khalwale – who is tasked with whipping members to toe the party line – declared that UDA is dead in western Kenya, joining the ranks of dissidents who have cited many reasons, including the clampdown on perceived critics through terrorism charges and state-sanctioned abductions.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“I mobilised for the party in Kakamega and Western in general, and I can tell you the party is no longer there,” Dr Khalwale, one of the founding members of UDA, told the Daily Nation.
Others have begun to talk at cross purposes on matters that require a united front, giving the strongest hint yet that they could be on their way out of the ruling party.
The looming exit is exacerbated by declarations by elected UDA leaders allied to Mr Gachagua, who was ousted as DP late last year after impeachment by Parliament, and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Elected leaders, especially from Mt Kenya, have declared support for Mr Gachagua. Many elected UDA leaders in Kisii and Nyamira counties have openly gravitated towards Dr Matiang’i.
North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, another UDA member, has declared support for Dr Matiang’i against President Ruto’s re-election bid. Mr Nyamoko did not respond to our inquiries on his 2027 game-plan.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata and MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Mohammed Ali (Nyali) are the other ruling party leaders who have become critics of the Kenya Kwanza regime.
The Daily Nation has also been informed that some nominated MPs and Ward Representatives in Mt Kenya and other regions that have witnessed the ongoing political realignments are just buying time before ditching UDA.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Photo credit: File| Nation Media Group
This explains the reason UDA is aggressively targeting nominated leaders for expulsion. UDA has expelled Senator Gloria Orwoba and is in the process of kicking out nominated MCAs Joy Mwangi (Nairobi) and Ann Thumbi (Nyeri) for backing the opposition.
Dr Khalwale said there are elements in the party steering it in the wrong direction, citing the promoters of the ongoing economic empowerment programme.
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“The rogue characters have come up with a manifesto UDA never had. They are flying around the country in helicopters dishing out hundreds of millions of shillings in the name of empowerment,” Dr Khalwale said.
“The programmes are retrogressive and only meant to hypnotise and capture the electorate, thinking there are areas manna falls from heaven.”
The senator said he has been calling out those making statements he deems controversial, including President Ruto’s former Economic adviser, Moses Kuria.
“I did the same with Mr Gachagua when he began investing in young and inexperienced politicians like (former Kakamega senator) Cleophas Malala to destabilise the party. I also told (Interior Cabinet Secretary) Kipchumba Murkomen that he is not fit to be a minister. He proved me right when he issued the shoot-to-kill orders to police,” Dr Khalwale said.
Asked if he would go into the 2027 elections on a UDA ticket, the Kakamega senator only said he would complete the social contract he has with the people and that when 2027 comes, decisions would be made based on the prevailing circumstances and what one wants.
“Not even President Ruto is sure to seek re-election on a UDA ticket. Since the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010, no president has sought a second term on the same party,” the senator said.
Embu Governor and Interim UDA Chairperson, Cecily Mbarire, exploded over frustrations on June 1.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
“There is no problem whatsoever between me and Governor Mbarire or any other leader in Embu. Anyone who knows my relationship with the leaders and people of Embu County knows the journey we have travelled over the years,” Prof Kindiki said following a meeting with Ms Mbarire.
The Daily Nation contacted Governor Mbarire over her plans for 2027, but she had not responded by the time of going to press.
Dr Kang’ata declared on July 11: “The government has wronged us on a great scale for taking the lives of young people. We will not accept it.”
The Murang’a governor, however, did not say anything about his future plans, only stating: “Allow me to concentrate on development issues for now.”
Mr Nyoro, who was removed as the National Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee chairman, dismissed the Kenya Kwanza administration as “clueless with no business calling itself a government”.
“A government that is not remorseful after murdering people but instead gives police shoot-to-kill orders can only be living dangerously,” the Kiharu MP said on July 10.
“This is a government that heavily funds intelligence gathering but is impotent when it comes to guaranteeing the safety of lives and property. There is impunity and arrogance, based on leaders’ speeches.”
Mr Ali, who in the first year of President Ruto’s government was a vocal supporter of the regime, has also become a fierce critic of Kenya Kwanza.
He has maintained a low profile and largely avoided accompanying the President in his public engagements in recent months.
Mr Ali threatened to boycott the UDA grassroots elections in April, accusing Party Secretary-General Hassan Omar of using his position for personal interests.
In a Facebook post on July 11, the Nyali lawmaker criticised top government officials over the shoot-to-kill order, saying such directives could fan more violence.
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
“Shocked by the remarks made by Belgut MP Nelson Koech endorsing the shoot-to-kill order against anti-government protesters. Advocating the use of extreme force by police only fans the flames of unnecessary violence that risks eroding the respect for life and dignity,” he said.
“I urge the police to exercise restraint and honour their responsibility to protect and safeguard lives and to remember they alone will be held accountable for their actions when matters of human rights violations are brought before court.”
Contacted yesterday, Mr Ali did not respond to our inquiries.
Mr Gachagua’s allies, who have declared plans to ditch UDA for his outfit – the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) – say they will campaign against President Ruto.
UDA lawmakers Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), John Methu (Nyandarua Senator), Karungo Thangwa (Kiambu Senator), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga Woman Representative), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a Senator) and James Murango (Kirinyaga Senator) have vowed to ensure Dr Ruto is not re-elected.
Mr Muriu told the Daily Nation that the President’s sympathisers are planning to contest elective seats on the tickets of parties that are seen to be friendly to Kenya Kwanza in Mt Kenya.
He, however, added that leaders allied to Mr Gachagua would call out anyone attempting to “hoodwink” the electorate on being part of the opposition.
Mr Muriu said the fringe parties are being fronted by President Ruto and top Kenya Kwanza officials.
“Any party that does not have associations with DCP will be labelled a wheelbarrow clothed in another colour,” said the MP, referring to the UDA symbol.
Mr Thangwa told the country to brace itself for mass defections from the UDA ahead of 2027, adding that few politicians would want to be associated with the party.
He said leaders from the region still in UDA are hanging there, "but will move out at the right time”.
The first-term senator said some leaders are in UDA because of the business they are doing with the government, “which they want to be paid before jumping ship”.
“They would lose the money if they become vocal,” he said.
“Some are telling us things are not good. I don’t think any politician in Mt Kenya will run on the UDA ticket in 2027,” he said.
The senator added that UDA is attempting to rebrand itself by revamping and coming up with proxies or other parties to destabilise the region.
