Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has defended her political decisions following her departure from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), describing politics as a game in which leaders pursue interests they believe will benefit their constituents.
Wamuchomba, who announced her exit from UDA on Thursday, October 8, said politicians sometimes have to make firm public declarations to protect development funding and other allocations intended for their constituencies.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Africa’s Gukena FM over the weekend, the legislator urged Kenyans to recognise that political decisions may be influenced by considerations that are not immediately apparent to the public.
“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,” she said.
The MP suggested that a politician’s public position could influence decisions concerning government resources. She argued that leaders may need to communicate their political stance openly when they believe their constituents’ interests could be affected.
“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.
Wamuchomba Cites Coffee and Tea Sector Reforms
Her remarks followed her announcement that she was leaving UDA, with the legislator accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to fulfil its promises on reforms in the coffee and tea sectors.
The two industries are important sources of income for many farming households in the Mt Kenya region. Farmers have continued to call for better prices, improved payment systems and reforms to address longstanding challenges in the production and marketing of their crops.
Wamuchomba’s departure comes amid political realignments in the region as leaders reassess their party affiliations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The legislator has yet to announce which party ticket she intends to use when seeking re-election in Githunguri.
Her next political move remains an open question as different parties position themselves and seek to strengthen their support across the Mt Kenya region.
More Political Realignments Ahead of 2027
Wamuchomba’s exit follows the announcement by Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja that she intends to contest the Nakuru gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket.
The senator’s reported decision, announced on Friday, October 9, adds to the political developments involving leaders considering new party affiliations and electoral ambitions ahead of the next general election.
The developments highlight the changing political alignments in parts of the country as elected leaders reassess their alliances and consider how to pursue their political and constituency interests before 2027.
