Jubilee and KANU parties have suffered a major political setback in Samburu County after six sitting Members of the County Assembly defected to the ruling United Democratic Alliance, UDA, ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The MCAs, who were elected on Jubilee and KANU tickets in the 2022 elections, were among a group of senior politicians and aspirants who formally joined UDA during a ceremony held in Maralal on Saturday, August 1 and presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Also defecting to UDA were Jubilee Party Women League Chairperson Maison Leshoomo and former Samburu North MP Alois Lentoimaga.

DP Kindiki, who is also UDA Deputy Party Leader, said the ruling party remains strong and continues to enjoy national appeal, insisting that its doors are open to politicians and aspirants seeking elective positions in the 2027 elections.

The Deputy President said UDA does not discriminate against Kenyans on the basis of tribe, religion or region, arguing that the Ruto administration had prioritised development across the country, including previously marginalised areas.

“We welcome all of them to UDA. This is a national party that accommodates everyone without considering their tribe, religion, or region because we are all Kenyans and we all deserve development,” the DP said on Saturday.

He said that President William Ruto had ensured that communities in Northern Kenya were no longer discriminated against, adding that the region was now benefiting from major government projects.

He assured the new members that they would be treated equally within UDA, with party nominations expected to determine who will carry the party’s ticket in the 2027 elections.

According to DP Kindiki, all parties supporting President Ruto would work together to secure his re-election.

“All parties supporting the President will work together to ensure the President wins. For other seats, voters will decide who will lead us. Those who will lose will be considered for other positions in government,” the DP stated, while citing ongoing infrastructure projects in Samburu as evidence of the government’s commitment to the region.

Kindiki said hundreds of kilometres of roads were now under construction in Samburu, contrasting this with the situation when the Ruto administration assumed office.

“There was not a single allocation of funds for tarmacking of roads when the President came into office but hundreds of kilometres of roads are now being constructed in Samburu County,” he said.

Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit said the county’s leadership would remain firmly behind President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki, citing development projects as a reason for supporting the ruling party ahead of 2027.

“We are not going anywhere because we are witnesses of the great development by President Ruto’s government,” Lelelit said.

“We are not going anywhere because we are witnesses of the great development by President Ruto’s government,” he added.

The defectors similarly cited development and increased government representation as the main reasons for abandoning their former parties.