This archive report was first published on 3 November 2021.
November 3, 2021, marked a significant shift in Kenya's political landscape as Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party continued to attract influential legislators ahead of the 2022 general election.
Kiambu Women Representative Hon Gathoni Wamuchomba was the first to defect from President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party to UDA, followed closely by embattled former Kiambu Governor Hon Ferdinand Waititu, who joined Tangatanga, a faction of UDA.
The recent entry of Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru into the Tangatanga axis has sparked fear among Wangui Ngirici's team, who perceive her as a stiff competitor for the UDA party ticket in the next year's gubernatorial race.
UDA's Secretary General Veronica Maina and Executive Director Odanga Pessa welcomed another defector, Hon Bernard Chege Waweru, who doubles as Wiper party's Murang'a County Chairman. Waweru's exit from Wiper might post a deficit in OKA's mobilization team in the Mt Kenya region.
Waweru, who seeks to replace Hon Irungu Kang'ata for Murang'a senatorial position in 2022, joined UDA to play his cards safe and align with the party's plans.
UDA's growing popularity has dealt a significant blow to Kalonzo Musyoka's presidency and added to Deputy President Ruto's support for his 2022 presidential bid, despite facing opposition from President Uhuru Kenyatta's allies and some of his opponents from OKA and ODM.
