The National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung'wah, has firmly dismissed any intentions of leaving the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to join the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), despite a wave of defections from UDA in the Mt. Kenya region.
In an interview on NTV on August 12, Ichung'wah emphasized his commitment to UDA, stating he would rather lose his Kikuyu parliamentary seat than abandon the party he has supported for years. He described DCP as a "small party" and made clear his political decisions are driven by conviction, not convenience.
Tracing his political journey back to 2013, Ichung'wah recalled joining The National Alliance (TNA) and backing the presidential bids of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto. He highlighted that his loyalty to President Ruto has remained steadfast through the Hustler Nation movement and the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
Shifts in Mt. Kenya Political Landscape
Several prominent politicians from Mt. Kenya, including Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata and Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, have recently defected from UDA to DCP. Additionally, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has indicated he will not seek re-election on a UDA ticket, while Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and various MCAs have also left the party.
Moses Kuria, a former Cabinet Secretary and presidential advisor, anticipates further defections from UDA in the region, citing changing voter sentiments ahead of the 2027 general election.
Despite these movements, Ichung'wah remains optimistic about UDA's prospects, expressing confidence in the broad-based Kenya Kwanza coalition's ability to secure victory in the upcoming polls.
Ichung'wah stated: "We are not worried about those decamping from UDA to DCP. We have a very solid formation in the broad-based government and are very confident that we will win the 2027 General Election."
