President William Ruto’s political hold on Mt Kenya is coming under increasing strain, with a growing list of leaders who helped deliver the region to him in 2022 now abandoning him.
The latest high-profile exit is Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who on Thursday announced she would not defend her seat on a UDA ticket.
For many of the defectors, the calculations are more about political survival, especially after UDA’s support among sections of Mt Kenya voters weakened sharply following Ruto’s fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua turned the fallout into a political mobilisation campaign, accusing Ruto’s administration of betraying Mt Kenya while building DCP as an alternative political vehicle.
Wamuchomba said on Thursday she could no longer align herself with a government she accused of failing to respect other communities and ignoring concerns raised by leaders from the region.
She specifically questioned why Health CS Aden Duale had not been summoned over remarks she considers offensive to the Kikuyu community, a position that has increasingly put her at odds with the administration.
The lawmaker said she waited for the government to take action against Duale, but instead, only some MPs were arrested for statements similar to those made by the CS.
“After soul-searching, with my voters, I feel my conscience does not allow me to dine and associate with people who have no regard for other communities,” Wamuchomba said.
“I am going to defend my seat for the third term. I am categorical: I am not going to use the UDA party.”
She spoke during a press conference at Parliament Buildings on Thursday.
The MP did not, however, disclose her new political home, saying she will consult her constituents before announcing her next move.
“Once I consult the people who vote for me, I will make public the political party I will use to defend my seat,” she said.
Her departure adds to a growing list of Mt Kenya politicians who have either formally quit UDA, joined rival parties or declared they will seek re-election outside the ruling party.
Some of the big names who have jumped ship include Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, who became the first sitting Mt Kenya governor to formally abandon Ruto for Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha followed him into DCP, while Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe also crossed over after previously being a strong supporter of Ruto and backing Gachagua’s impeachment.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has also ruled out defending his seat on a UDA ticket.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, once one of Ruto’s most influential allies in Parliament, also left UDA and took over the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK).
The list also includes senators Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu) and James Murango (Kirinyaga), who have aligned themselves with Gachagua’s DCP.
MPs Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) and Edward Muriu (Gatanga) have similarly moved away from UDA.
Kang’ata blamed what he called strategic mistakes within UDA for the party’s troubles in Mt Kenya, warning that politicians could be rejected if they remain tied to an unpopular political vehicle.
“I wish to state that when the appropriate time comes, I will not seek to defend my seat on the party’s ticket,” Kang’ata said in March 2026.
The President secured millions of votes from the region after successfully presenting himself as the preferred alternative to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
His alliance with Gachagua was a major factor in consolidating the vote.
