Aisha Jumwa, a prominent political figure and one of the founding members of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has announced her departure from the party. Speaking at her Kakuyuni home in Malindi, Jumwa cited humiliation and frustration as the primary reasons for her decision to leave UDA. Her announcement comes in the wake of her intention to vie for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 elections, a move she claims has not been supported by the party leadership.
Jumwa expressed her disappointment with the party, particularly with President William Ruto, stating that her attempts to communicate with him have been ignored. She recounted a particularly humiliating experience where she was allegedly chased out of State House during a meeting between the President and Coast leaders. This incident, she said, was indicative of the broader frustrations she faced within the party, leading to her decision to quit.
In an emotional address, Jumwa, who has been a staunch supporter of UDA, lamented her current status, stating that despite her significant contributions to the party, she is now jobless and without any role in the current government. She revealed that the President had promised her a cabinet position if she campaigned for his re-election, a promise that remains unfulfilled. Her emotional plea highlighted the personal and political challenges she has faced, as she shed tears while speaking to the press.
While Jumwa did not disclose her next political move, she assured that an announcement regarding her future political direction would be made soon. She hinted at joining another political camp but did not provide any specifics about her new affiliation. Jumwa also appealed to President Ruto not to use his political influence to harass her, emphasizing her right to choose her political path freely.
The mounting pressure from what she described as a "zoning plan" orchestrated by Broad Based leaders, which prevents UDA from fielding a candidate for the Kilifi Governor seat, was another factor in her decision to leave the party. Despite these challenges, Jumwa reassured Kilifi residents of her commitment to vie for the Governor seat in 2027, urging them to remain calm as she navigates her political future. Her departure marks a significant shift in the political landscape, particularly in the Coast region, where she has been a key player.
