Gatundu South MP Kagombe quits UDA, accuses Ruto of unfulfilled promises

Kagombe, who was elected on a UDA ticket in 2022, said he could no longer continue supporting a government that, in his view, had failed to deliver meaningful development to his constituents despite their overwhelming support for the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The lawmaker made the remarks during the burial of community leader Phyllis Njoki Kuria at Karangi village in Gatundu South, Kiambu County.

Kagombe cited the stalled Mau Mau roads as one of the major failures of the government in the constituency, saying the roads had remained in poor condition for more than four years.

He said the deteriorating road network had severely affected economic activities in the area, particularly for farmers who struggle to transport their produce to markets.

“The people of Gatundu South have supported this government, but what have they received in return?” Kagombe posed, as he questioned the government’s development priorities.

The MP accused the administration of prioritising projects such as stadiums, housing programmes and Rironi–Mau Summit Road projects in other parts of the country while allegedly neglecting Gatundu South and Mt. Kenya Region at large.

Kagombe, who also serves as the Zone One director at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), also criticised the government over what he termed failure to implement the Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) promised to tea farmers.

He took issue with what he described as increasing financial burdens on tea farmers, particularly proposed and existing levies affecting the tea sector.

The MP singled out the 0.8 per cent export levy and the proposed Ksh.3.85 per kilogramme bulk tea auction levy contained in the Tea Amendment Bill, arguing that such charges would further reduce farmers’ earnings.

He said tea farmers were already struggling with rising labour and farm input costs at a time when returns from tea farming remained low.

"Serikali ambayo haifikirii mambo ya majani chai. Serikali ambayo haitambui mkulima wa majani chai. Hiyo serikali yenye inalipisha 0.8 per cent ni lazima iende. Hiyo serikali ambayo inasema itashughulikia mkulima na ni uongo," he stated. 

"Serikali ambayo inasema itapeana subsidy ya fertiliser, wanatuambia tuende tununue fertiliser watapeana pesa, iko Ksh.7 billion hawajalipa. Hiyo serikali ni lazima iende. ni serikali ya 'one-term'. 

Kagombe argued that instead of cushioning farmers from economic pressures and fluctuating international tea prices, the government was introducing measures that could further undermine the viability of tea farming.

The Ruto administration had pledged to introduce Guaranteed Minimum Returns for key agricultural value chains, including tea, as part of efforts to protect farmers from market fluctuations and provide more predictable earnings.

However, concerns have persisted among tea farmers and industry stakeholders over the implementation of minimum price guarantees, with farmers continuing to face fluctuations in monthly green-leaf payments and exposure to global market conditions.

Kagombe’s announcement has received support from some residents, with locals welcoming his decision to leave UDA. They said the constituency had not benefited sufficiently from key development projects, particularly road infrastructure, despite having supported the ruling administration.

Kagombe has, however, not disclosed the political party he intends to use in defending his seat in the 2027 General Election.

His departure comes days after the lawmaker had threatened to defect to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) over Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia's arrest, citing that he's entitled to rightful treatment as an MP. 

Kaguchia had been arrested for allegedly making remarks where he warned Mt Kenya residents of dire consequences if they voted for President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

Kagombe, however, accused unnamed officials within government of mishandling the matter in a way that damaged the administration's standing. 

"Ruto, if you don't release Kaguchia immediately, we will defect to Wamunyoro," Kagombe stated on August 4, 2026.