The political ground in Mt Kenya is shifting ahead of the 2027 General Election, with a string of leaders walking away from UDA even as nominated Senator Veronica Maina insists the exits should not be mistaken for a mass collapse of the ruling party.
Maina, who previously served as UDA Secretary General, said movement from one political party to another is a regular feature of Kenya’s election periods. She acknowledged that leaders were leaving UDA but maintained that the extent of the changes had been overstated as politicians assess their options ahead of 2027.
She spoke during a Radio Generation interview on Thursday, where she said political parties routinely experience changes in membership as elections approach. She pointed to developments within ODM, which she said had also produced groups pursuing different political paths.
“What we are seeing right now is party hopping, which happens whenever we get near a general election. If you look at ODM, for instance, it has splinter groups right now, including Linda Mwananchi and others that are thinking differently and moving in a certain direction,” Maina said.
Her remarks come at a time when UDA has recorded a series of high-profile departures, particularly in Mt Kenya, where several politicians who backed President William Ruto in the 2022 election have since changed political sides.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro formally quit UDA on August 17, 2026, before joining the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK). Nyoro said he had held consultations with several opposition leaders for almost a year before deciding where to place his political future.
The leaders he named included DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, PLP Party Leader Martha Karua, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, Peter Munya and James Orengo. Nyoro is now aligning himself with the opposition ahead of the 2027 contest.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata had earlier left UDA on July 24 for Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). Kang’ata is expected to seek another term under the DCP banner, making him the first sitting governor from Mt Kenya to formally leave UDA for the party.
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha made a similar move on July 29, joining DCP together with members of the county leadership. Gachagua said Badilisha and Nyandarua MCAs would defend their positions through DCP and participate in the party’s nominations before the 2027 election.
Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe announced his exit from UDA on August 11. He linked his decision to concerns over government performance, citing the state of roads and issues facing tea farmers.
Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga also switched from UDA to DCP on March 19, 2026. She is seeking to use the party as a platform in her bid for the Nairobi Woman Representative seat in 2027.
In Kiambu, Governor Kimani Wamatangi has said he will not defend his position through a UDA ticket. Wamatangi is expected to announce his preferred political vehicle in December, meaning his next political home remains undecided.
The political changes have also involved county assembly leaders. On July 29, Gachagua received 24 sitting MCAs from Laikipia and Nakuru after they left UDA and parties allied to it, adding to DCP’s efforts to build support in Mt Kenya.
Maina said such movements should be viewed against the role played by voters in shaping political alliances. She argued that politicians often adjust their positions after detecting changes in public opinion and emerging political waves.
According to her, the movement does not necessarily amount to a complete rejection of UDA, arguing that political activity tends to increase as elections draw closer. She also said misinformation and disinformation had contributed to perceptions that the ruling party was facing a much larger departure of members than was actually the case.
The series of exits has nevertheless added to the uncertainty surrounding political alignments ahead of 2027, with leaders moving between parties as they search for platforms they believe can improve their electoral prospects.
Maina said the final decision should remain with voters and cautioned against political figures presenting themselves as brokers of public support.
“Let’s stop having people who are brokering votes. It’s supposed to be a free vote, free will in the way you vote. Let’s stop having people who are brokering votes,” she concluded.