NAIROBI, Kenya – Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto has acknowledged that the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has failed to deliver on its 2022 campaign promises, and says many Kenyans now see greater hope in the opposition-aligned Wamunyoro movement led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Citizen TV, Wandeto said the Wamunyoro group—which includes key political figures such as Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Gachagua—is gaining ground because it represents integrity, constitutionalism, and a connection to the real challenges facing citizens.
“Kenyans are resonating with Wamunyoro’s team because they see hope,” he said. “We have Martha Karua, a defender of justice, Kalonzo—a voice of reason—and Gachagua, a truthful man. Together, they represent over 10 million votes. I’m not surprised it’s giving people a running stomach.”
Wandeto, elected on a UDA ticket, admitted that the party has not lived up to the expectations it set during the 2022 elections, especially on promises made under the Bottom-Up Economic Model.
“We went across the country selling hope—uplifting bodaboda riders, mama mbogas, and the youth—but we failed to act. I take responsibility as a member of UDA. Kenyans are hurting,” he said.
He cited joblessness, collapsing healthcare, and rising insecurity as examples of the government’s underperformance, noting that voters are increasingly seeking alternatives that feel more connected to their daily struggles.
Wamunyoro, Gachagua’s political base, has become a meeting ground for opposition-leaning leaders and disenchanted figures within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, as political realignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wandeto’s remarks come amid growing signs of discontent within UDA’s ranks, as pressure mounts on President William Ruto’s administration to fulfill key pledges amid rising cost of living and stalled reforms.
