NAIROBI, Kenya – Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi Karemba has ruled out seeking re-election on President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in 2027, saying he will spend the next two months consulting constituents and political leaders before choosing his next political platform.
Karemba made the announcement on Sunday, October 25, while addressing residents in Gikuuri, Runyenjes, becoming the latest Mount Kenya legislator to signal a possible change of political allegiance ahead of the next General Election.
“It is good that I inform you that the time has come for me to look for a party. I know there are many parties. What I know is that next year, I will not contest on the UDA ticket,” he said.
The MP said he would announce his preferred party within two months after consulting residents and leaders from different political formations.
“In less than two months, I will have spoken to my people and leaders of different parties. I will have announced the party I will use to vie for the Runyenjes parliamentary seat in 2027,” he added.
Karemba did not name the party he intends to join, leaving open the question of where he will position himself in the increasingly competitive political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
His announcement rules out a UDA ticket for his next parliamentary bid, although he did not publicly detail whether he had formally resigned from the party.
Mount Kenya Leaders Seek Alternative Political Platforms
Karemba’s decision comes amid a series of political shifts involving elected leaders from Mount Kenya who have left UDA, joined rival parties or indicated that they are reconsidering their political affiliations.
Kieni MP Njoroge Wainaina, popularly known as Chieni, announced on October 17 that he had left UDA for the Ufanisi Kenya Party, presenting the outfit as a political vehicle open to members from across the country.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata joined former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) on July 24 after distancing himself from UDA. Kang’ata subsequently said he would defend his gubernatorial seat on a DCP ticket while maintaining links with the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has also moved away from UDA and aligned himself with the People’s Party of Kenya (PPK), while other leaders, including Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe, have announced departures from the ruling party.
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha has joined DCP, while Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has announced plans to seek the Nakuru gubernatorial seat on the party’s ticket. Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, meanwhile, has indicated that he intends to contest the 2027 elections on a political platform chosen by Kiambu residents.
The developments point to a changing pattern of party affiliation among some elected leaders from the region. However, individual departures do not in themselves establish how voters will align in the next election.
Karemba’s Political Background
Karemba was first elected to Parliament in 2017 on a Jubilee Party ticket before winning the Runyenjes seat in 2022 under UDA.
He chairs the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee, having previously chaired the Labour Committee. He is also recognised as the first member of the Akorino community to be elected to Parliament.
His next party choice will determine the political platform he uses to seek another term, but he has indicated that the decision will follow consultations rather than an immediate declaration of allegiance to a rival outfit.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, Karemba’s announcement adds another unresolved question to the contest over party tickets and political alliances in Mount Kenya.
For now, the MP has set a deadline for choosing his next party but has not disclosed which political formation he intends to join.
