By Saad Salim,12,October,2026
Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has defended her political manoeuvres following her departure from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), describing politics as a game in which leaders sometimes make strategic decisions to protect the interests of their constituents.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Africa’s Gukena FM over the weekend, Wamuchomba urged Kenyans to understand the calculations behind political decisions, arguing that public declarations and shifting political positions can influence the allocation of government resources to constituencies.
“I usually tell wananchi to let politicians play their game of politics. For me, politics is a game. Wananchi usually don’t understand the games we play,” Wamuchomba said.
The legislator explained that political positioning can sometimes determine whether a constituency benefits from government budgetary allocations, suggesting that leaders may be compelled to take particular political positions to secure resources for the people they represent.
“If, as a politician, you sense that your people will be denied a budgetary allocation, and the allocation will be based on you having a certain political stand, you make the declaration loudly so that the allocation can be made,” she said.
Her remarks come days after she announced her decision to leave UDA on October 8, 2026, citing concerns over what she described as discrimination, disrespect towards some communities and selective application of justice within the Kenya Kwanza administration.
During her announcement at Parliament Buildings, Wamuchomba said her decision followed personal reflection and consultations with voters, community leaders and religious leaders.
She maintained that she could no longer remain politically aligned with leaders whom she accused of failing to respect other communities.
“After soul-searching and serious consultation with my voters and community leaders and the church, I feel like my conscience does not allow me to dine, associate and cluster with people who have no regard for others,” she said.
The MP also declared that she would not seek re-election on a UDA ticket, signalling a significant shift in her political relationship with President Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I am going to defend my seat for the third term. I am categorical: I am not going to use the UDA party,” she said.
Wamuchomba has yet to publicly identify the political party under which she intends to defend her Githunguri parliamentary seat, saying she would consult her constituents before making a final decision.
“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.
The legislator’s departure from UDA followed a dispute over remarks attributed to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and nominated MP Joseph Wainaina, which she said warranted action by relevant authorities.
Wamuchomba questioned why she believed some leaders had faced action over remarks targeting communities while others had not been subjected to similar scrutiny.
“The MP for Mukurweini was arrested, taken to court, and even a verdict from NCIC was issued yesterday. And many others of that category have been summoned. Why hasn’t Aden Duale been summoned? Is he above the law?” she posed.
She had previously accused the government of applying the law selectively and urged authorities to address statements she believed could fuel ethnic tensions.
Wamuchomba also said she would continue speaking out against leaders whose remarks she considers divisive, even if that meant distancing herself from the ruling party.
“Going forward, I am going to sit back and echo what Kenyans are saying against such characters, Duale. I am going to join Kenyans to call out those people because alone in government, nobody can hear me,” she said.
Duale has previously defended remarks that drew criticism, maintaining that a Somali proverb he used was figurative and was not intended to demean any community.
Wamuchomba’s exit from UDA comes amid shifting political alliances, particularly in the Mt Kenya region, as leaders reassess their affiliations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Her comments on political strategy highlight the complex relationship between party loyalty, access to government resources and the responsibility of elected leaders to represent their constituents.
While she has defended political manoeuvres as part of the realities of leadership, her departure from UDA also reflects her publicly stated disagreements with the administration over community relations and accountability.
The Githunguri MP has maintained that her next political move will be guided by consultations with the people she represents.
As the 2027 elections approach, her eventual choice of political party is likely to be closely watched as parties seek to consolidate support across the country.
