Aisha Jumwa Dumps Ruto’s UDA For Kingi’s Party

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has abandoned President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance and announced that she is returning to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance.

Jumwa said her decision followed lengthy consultations with the PAA leadership and her supporters and that she was ready to assume the position of deputy party leader.

“I have declared my stand and what is remaining is to officially join PAA and take the office as the deputy party leader,” she said.

She described PAA as a homegrown party that reflects the political aspirations of the Coast region, insisting that her move was driven by the need to reorganise coastal politics.

Jumwa revealed that she became uncomfortable with UDA after President Ruto’s recent visit to the Coast, during which he avoided making a strong pitch for the ruling party’s activities on the ground. She argued that shifting parties is part of Kenya’s political tradition and reminded critics that even top leaders frequently change their political homes.

The former Kilifi Woman Representative confirmed she will challenge Governor Gideon Mung’aro of ODM in 2027.

She is confident that PAA can dislodge ODM in Kilifi and sweep all elective seats, including governor, senator, woman representative, MPs and MCAs.

At rallies in Ganze and Magarini, where she launched her PAA campaign, Jumwa called for unity among coastal politicians and said the community had lost bargaining power in 2022 because it was divided.

She said she still supports President Ruto’s re-election and insisted that PAA remains part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

According to her, more political parties will join the ruling side before the next General Election. She dismissed claims that PAA is a personal vehicle for Speaker Kingi and said every party has its own identity and mission.

Jumwa previously used ODM to win the Woman Representative seat in 2013 and the Malindi MP seat in 2017.

She was among leaders who backed Kingi’s push to abandon ODM, accusing the party of sidelining the Coast despite years of loyal support.

She reiterated that Raila Odinga’s influence in the region cannot automatically be inherited by his successors.

As she re-enters the political arena under the PAA banner, Jumwa is positioning herself as the new force driving coastal unity ahead of 2027.

She said her political machine is already in motion and promised that her return will not be business as usual.