Former Public Service and Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has officially resigned from President William Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Speaking from her Kakuyuni home in Malindi, Kilifi County, the prominent Coast politician cited continuous humiliation, marginalization, and unaddressed grievances regarding her bid for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in 2027 as her reasons for leaving.
Jumwa stated that her repeated attempts to seek intervention from President Ruto regarding internal party matters fell on deaf ears.
She highlighted an incident where she was reportedly turned away during a high-level meeting between the President and Coast leaders at State House, signaling her growing isolation within the ruling camp.
Jumwa pointed to emerging political alignments under the broad-based governance framework, claiming UDA might not field a candidate in Kilifi, effectively locking her out of the party’s ticket.
Despite exiting the founding ruling party, Jumwa affirmed that her campaign to succeed Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro remains on course and that she will announce her new political vehicle soon.
As one of the early high-profile leaders from the Coast region to back William Ruto’s presidential bid in 2022, Jumwa’s exit marks a significant fracture in UDA’s regional footprint.
Her resignation underscores growing friction within the ruling coalition as broad-based party agreements alter candidate dynamics for county leadership seats in 2027.
By walking away from UDA, Jumwa signals a broader trend of regional power brokers seeking alternative political vehicles ahead of the 2027 general election.
