Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has announced plans to leave President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and contest the Nakuru gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.
Karanja made the announcement on Friday, October 9, while addressing a forum in Nakuru County, where she criticised the Ruto administration over what she described as its failure to meet Kenyans’ expectations.
The senator said she had listened to her supporters, who had urged her to seek the county’s top seat, adding that their views had influenced her decision to pursue the governorship on a different political platform.
Addressing the gathering, Karanja said her political choices were guided by the people who elected her to the Senate.
“I know very well that you people are my employers. You are my bosses. Even if I went to the Senate, my party leader knows very well who employed me. It is you people who employed me,” she said.
She indicated her intention to contest under DCP by pointing to the green outfit she wore at the event.
“You can see I have today dressed in green. My clothes and even my ring are all green, and from today I will vie for that seat under DCP,” Karanja declared.
The announcement marks a stated change in her political plans ahead of the 2027 elections, when Nakuru voters will elect a county governor.
Karanja also criticised President Ruto’s administration, arguing that Kenyans had expected more from the government they elected in 2022.
“I want to tell my party leader that I have heard the ground, and people have told me that they had a lot of expectations from this administration. They woke up early to elect this government, but unfortunately they did not meet their expectations,” she said.
The senator cited rising milk prices as an example of the economic pressures she said ordinary households were experiencing.
“I can see that our president does not understand the needs of the people. The president does not see ahead. Recently I went to the supermarket and found the prices of milk have risen. It is very shameful for Kenya to lack milk,” she added.
Her remarks came as political parties and leaders began positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Karanja joined UDA in January 2022 and went on to win the Nakuru senatorial seat on the party’s ticket in the August 2022 General Election.
Her latest announcement signals a proposed change in party affiliation as she sets her sights on the county governorship.
The senator has previously expressed views on Nakuru County leadership and governance, including criticism of Governor Susan Kihika.
Wamuchomba Also Announces UDA Exit
Karanja’s reported announcement follows that of Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who said on Thursday, October 8, that she would no longer seek an elective seat or campaign for UDA.
Wamuchomba attributed her decision to what she described as a lack of respect for other communities among some leaders in the ruling party. She particularly criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks she said targeted the Mount Kenya community.
The developments come as political leaders reassess their party affiliations and prepare for the 2027 polls.
Karanja’s proposed gubernatorial bid now places her among the political figures whose next moves are likely to feature in discussions about Nakuru County’s leadership and the wider national political landscape.
