Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe has quit the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing President William Ruto’s administration of failing to deliver on promises that helped secure strong support for Kenya Kwanza in the Mt Kenya region.
Kagombe, elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, announced his decision at the burial of community leader Phyllis Njoki Kuria in Karangi village, Gatundu South, Kiambu County, where he launched a broadside against the administration over what he described as broken promises and neglect of his constituents.
The defection adds to growing political unease in parts of Mt Kenya, where leaders have increasingly questioned the benefits of supporting the Ruto administration as the 2027 General Election approaches.
Kagombe said the people of Gatundu South had overwhelmingly backed the Government but were yet to see corresponding development in the constituency.
“The people of Gatundu South have supported this government, but what have they received in return?” he asked.
The MP singled out the state of roads in the constituency, with the stalled Mau Mau roads emerging as one of his key grievances.
He said the roads had remained in poor condition for years, affecting farmers and other residents who rely on them to transport produce to markets.
Kagombe contrasted the situation with major infrastructure projects being undertaken in other parts of the country, including stadiums, housing projects and the Rironi-Mau Summit road.
He argued that the Government should give greater attention to areas that provided it with strong electoral support.
His criticism extended to the tea sector, where Kagombe said farmers were struggling with rising production costs and declining returns.
The MP, who serves as Zone One director at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), criticised the Government over the failure to implement promised Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) for tea farmers.
He also opposed levies that he said would further reduce farmers’ earnings, including the 0.8 per cent export levy and a proposed Sh3.85 per kilogramme bulk tea auction levy contained in the Tea Amendment Bill.
Kagombe said the additional charges would come at a time when tea farmers were already grappling with high labour and input costs and unpredictable earnings.
“Serikali ambayo haifikirii mambo ya majani chai. Serikali ambayo haitambui mkulima wa majani chai. Hiyo serikali yenye inalipisha 0.8 per cent ni lazima iende,” he said.
He also criticised the Government over fertiliser subsidies, claiming that Sh7 billion allocated for the programme had not been paid.
“Serikali ambayo inasema itapeana subsidy ya fertiliser, wanatuambia tuende tununue fertiliser watapeana pesa, iko Sh7 billion hawajalipa. Hiyo serikali ni lazima iende. Ni serikali ya ‘one-term’,” Kagombe said.
His remarks amount to one of the clearest breaks yet between a sitting Mt Kenya lawmaker elected on a UDA ticket and the administration he helped support.
The MP has not announced the political party under which he intends to defend his seat in 2027.
His latest move, however, did not come entirely unexpectedly.
On August 4, Kagombe threatened to leave UDA and join the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, if the Government did not intervene in the arrest of Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia.
Kaguchia had been arrested over remarks in which he warned Mt Kenya residents of consequences if they supported President Ruto in the 2027 election.
Kagombe had demanded his release, arguing that the treatment of the MP had alienated the Government from its supporters in the region.
“Ruto, if you don't release Kaguchia immediately, we will defect to Wamunyoro,” Kagombe said at the time.
His decision to now formally sever ties with UDA gives the earlier threat greater political weight and could fuel speculation about a wider realignment of Mt Kenya politicians ahead of 2027.
The region was a crucial component of Ruto’s 2022 electoral coalition, with large numbers of voters backing the Kenya Kwanza ticket.
Since then, however, sections of the region’s political leadership have increasingly complained about what they describe as inadequate development, economic hardship and the treatment of Mt Kenya politicians by the administration.
The complaints have created an opening for opposition figures seeking to challenge Ruto’s dominance in the region.
Gachagua has been particularly vocal in courting voters in Mt Kenya and has presented himself as an alternative political voice for the region.
His DCP has sought to consolidate support among leaders dissatisfied with the Kenya Kwanza administration, although it remains unclear whether Kagombe will formally join the party.
Kagombe’s departure also comes at a time when political parties are beginning to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
