Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe has confirmed his decision to leave the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the move was driven by growing concerns from residents of his constituency over the performance of the current government.
Speaking on Wednesday on Radio Generation, Kagombe said he had to listen to the views of the people who elected him rather than remain in a political party against their wishes.
The MP said some residents had openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the government and made it clear that they did not want to continue supporting it.
“I am a representative of the people of Gatundu South, and they have said, ‘Listen, we don't want that person, we don't want this government.’
“I asked myself, why would I lose a seat or fail to represent what the people are saying?” Kagombe posed.
Kagombe said his departure from UDA should not be interpreted as a personal dispute with President William Ruto.
He maintained that his decision was based on the position taken by his constituents, saying their concerns gave him reason to reconsider his political association.
“It is not personal with President Ruto; it is what the people have said, and the people have a reason why they have said what they have said,” the Gatundu South MP stated.
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Gatundu South is the home constituency of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In the 2022 General Elections, Kagombe won with 17,825 votes. He was followed by Kung'u Kibathi who was contesting on an independent ticket.
The MP also pointed to the poor state of roads in Gatundu South as one of the issues that has frustrated residents.
Kagombe said farmers have continued to face challenges transporting tea from farms to factories, forcing him to step in where he felt the national government had not done enough.
“I am a director at KTDA, having been elected by the farmers. We have had problems in the past; you have to transport tea from farms to the factory. As a director, I have appropriated a lot of farmers' money to fix the roads where the government has failed to fix,” Kagombe claimed.
His announcement comes amid signs of growing political pressure around UDA, with another elected leader recently backing away from plans to join the ruling party.
On Tuesday,Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu withdrew her plan to join UDA, citing political sabotage and a worsening relationship with Lamu Governor and UDA Deputy Party Leader Issa Timamy.
In her letter, Marubu said she had faced attempts to frustrate grassroots mobilisation work she had undertaken in Lamu County after President Ruto asked her to help strengthen UDA's support in the region.
Marubu said she had remained an independent MP after winning her seat on an independent ticket but had agreed to mobilise support for UDA ahead of the 2027 elections at the President's request.
"I was independently elected and had intended to join UDA ahead of 2027. That intention is hereby withdrawn. Neither I, my team nor my political allies will participate in further UDA mobilisation, grassroots elections or Party activities,” she stated.