Jumwa Quits Ruto's Party
Coast Politician Aisha Jumwa Resigns From UDA, Accusing Ruto of Neglect
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Key Points
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Jumwa's career includes major prior roles beyond Coast politics: she served as Public Service Cabinet Secretary before being moved to the Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage ministry, and later chaired the Kenya Roads Board—a position the High Court ruled unconstitutional in May 2026.
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Jumwa directly challenged President Ruto with a pointed quote about loyalty and rewards, saying: 'You are the President, yet I don’t even have a job as a sweeper in your government.'
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Her departure coincides with other notable defections from UDA in the Coast and beyond, including Irungu Kang’ata and Kiarie Badilisha who recently joined the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) led by DP Rigathi Gachagua.
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Jumwa previously made history as Kilifi County’s first Woman Representative, serving from 2013 to 2020, a credential not referenced in her current exit announcement but relevant to her long-running political profile.
Aisha Jumwa has quit President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance, ending a partnership she says brought her nothing but broken promises. The former Cabinet Secretary announced she will run for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, according to Tuko and Capital FM.
Jumwa did not name a new political party. She said she will consult Kilifi residents before announcing her next move. Her exit is one of several recent defections shaking up President Ruto's support base along the Coast and beyond.
'I Don't Even Have a Job as a Sweeper'
Jumwa was blunt about why she left. "Umenihumiliate ya kutosha" — you have humiliated me enough — she said, addressing President Ruto directly, according to Tuko. Her sharpest line: "You are the President, yet I don't even have a job as a sweeper in your government."
She said she was turned away from State House during a visit by Coast leaders. She claims Ruto promised her government appointments in return for her loyalty but never delivered. She also alleged that ODM — a coalition partner — raised objections to her political ambitions, and that Ruto sided with them over her, according to Capital FM.
From Cabinet Secretary to Kenya Roads Board Controversy
Jumwa's political career has been eventful. She first served as Public Service Cabinet Secretary under Ruto, then was moved to the Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage ministry. After leaving Cabinet, she was appointed to chair the Kenya Roads Board, according to Nation Africa.
That appointment did not last. The High Court ruled in May 2026 that her chairmanship of the Kenya Roads Board was unconstitutional. She was left without a government role. Before her Cabinet stints, she made history as Kilifi County's first Woman Representative, serving from 2013 to 2020, according to The Coast Media Group.
UDA Defections Pile Up Along the Coast and Beyond
Jumwa's exit is part of a wider trend. Several politicians have recently left UDA for rival camps. Former Muranga Senator Irungu Kang'ata and politician Kiarie Badilisha both joined the Democracy for Citizens Party, known as DCP. That party is led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, according to Nairobi Law Monthly.
The Coast region has seen other UDA defections in recent weeks as well. The wave of exits points to growing cracks in Ruto's political coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. Jumwa's move adds a high-profile name to a list that is getting longer.
Kilifi Governorship: A Race That Could Reshape the Coast
Jumwa says winning the Kilifi governorship is now her main goal. She has a strong base in the county, built over more than a decade in politics. Her announcement immediately reshapes the 2027 race in a region that has long been contested ground, according to The Coast Media Group.
She has not yet said which party she will use to run. She plans to hold consultations with Kilifi residents before making that call. Given her sharp criticism of Ruto, a return to UDA looks unlikely. Her next alliance choice could determine who controls the Coast in 2027, according to Nation Africa.
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