Top political parties are facing a mass exodus as several elected leaders begin to scout for new election vehicles for purposes of 2027 polls.

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Jubilee Party and Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) are some of the hardest hit in the ongoing political realignments.

Kenya has in the past witnessed major defections, with leaders shifting to new parties to boost their chances of re-election. Some of the defections are occasioned by political fallouts, while others are as a result of fresh political realignments and regional dynamics.

Read: UDA-ODM zoning row throws Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties into uncertainty

In ODM, MPs allied to the Linda Mwananchi faction have announced their intention to unveil a new party in readiness for next year’s elections. Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, another ODM member, has since identified himself with People's Renaissance Movement (PM Party).

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna addressing a Linda Mwananch rally at Mazembe Grounds in Nakuru City on April 19, 2026.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group

Other ODM leaders set to quit ODM and join the yet-to-be unveiled party include its Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Vihiga Senator Godrey Osotsi, Wilberforce Oundo (Funyala), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), and Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South). Others are Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo.

Mr Osotsi told the Nation that the party they plan to unveil will be home to Linda Mwananchi leaders. He cited ODM’s decision to back President Ruto as their reason for quitting the party that has remained dominant in the country for the last four general elections.

“They already sold their souls to UDA through their conduct and residents can’t differentiate ODM from UDA. They are one and the same thing under William Ruto,” said Mr Osotsi.

He claimed there were attempts by the party to have Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya revive its fortune, noting that the people in the region have since moved out of the outfit.

“It is too little too late for them. In fact, Oparanya may end up being perceived as a traitor and project of those against community bigger cause. In 2002 Mudavadi was punished very severely when Moi tried to use him to fight Kijana Wamalwa’s rise in NARC,” said the Vihiga senator.

Read: Zoning headache for broad-based government, United Opposition

Mr Omondi also said ‘it is not my intention to seek re-election on ODM ticket.’ He said he will defend his seat on a different political party.

UDA has also suffered a major setback in the populous Mt Kenya, as the majority of its elected leaders begin to openly align with Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP) of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Others like Murang’a Governor Irung’u Kangata and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro have also announced their plans not to defend their seats on UDA. The two have, however, not declared the party they would run on.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group

In the 2022 polls, Dr Ruto swept to power by winning the backing of the popular Mr Kenya support. He polled close to three million votes. But that has since changed. Several leaders from the region have announced they would not run on the ticket.

"The UDA party has abandoned Kenyans and that is the reason all of us moved away from the governing party. All of us have left the party," said Mr Nyoro at the weekend.

The MP, who served as the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations chairperson before falling out with Dr Ruto, has since become one of the fiercest critics of the administration.

"There is no more person on top of a wheelbarrow or taking a wheelbarrow anywhere, here in our place, even across the country,” he said.

He said the question currently being asked in the region was not about whether to back UDA in 2027, but about charting a new political path with the people.

"So the decision we are making is not about whether to support a wheelbarrow or not or where. That decision we made a long time ago. A leader must never make such an important decision because they are being pushed. Kenyans must be at the centre of every political decision we make," said the MP.

Read: Why the Odinga name is ODM’s inheritance and greatest danger

Some of the leaders from the region have since identified with Mr Gachagua’s DCP. They include senators John Methu (Nyandarua), Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu) and James Murango. Others are MPs Benjamin Gathiru alias Mejja Donk (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Edward Muriu (Gatanga).

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Mr Muriu told the Nation that UDA has since become so unpopular in the region that most of the current elected leaders stand to lose should they defend their seats on the ruling party.

He said MPs who backed Mr Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024 have found themselves in the horns of a major political dilemma as they fear joining DCP to secure their careers.

He said some of them are now scouting for small parties in the region that have an association with the United Opposition for political survival.

“Many of them know very well that they will not be elected via UDA party. Their die is cast because they cannot dare defect to DCP since they participated in his impeachment. If they do their fate is predetermined,” said Mr Muriu.

“They may wish to join Jubilee Party hoping it will be their parachute from Ruto and UDA. With the looming creation of a giant Coalition party bringing all opposition parties together, the head of the central command on Mountain matters and the nominations of candidates there remains Gachagua,” he added.

He claimed there was an attempt by some of the leaders to register new parties to offer them a political lifeline in the face of hostility against UDA in the region.

“There are other small parties which are being launched by the same Ruto followers and their associates with an objective to give those members tickets to vie if all the others fail.

He said those proxy outfits are well known, and people warned of backing their candidates in the 2027 polls.

Read: Edwin Sifuna’s turning point

Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale.
Photo credit: Isaac Wale | Nation Media Group

In Western, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has also unveiled a new party for his 2027 ambition.

In an interview with the Nation, Dr Khalwale confirmed his links to the United Patriotic Movement (UPM). According to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the new outfit has met all the requirements for registration and is awaiting full registration.

“UPM is a national party and will have who is who in the political space in this country who is advancing the one term agenda. Exciting times are coming and this is the party of the future not only in Western alone but nationally. That is why I can confirm I'm associated with it,” said the senator.

In DAP-K, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and Kiminini MP Bisau Kakai are some of the leaders who have declared their intention to run on UDA in 2027. The two leaders attended a UDA aspirants’ meeting held at State House in February.

Kanini Kega, who was sponsored to EALA by Jubilee Party, has also publicly defected to DCP. Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje of Jubilee has also given an indication of joining DCP after he visited Mr Gachagua at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County last week.

“Mwenje informed me that he had been instructed by his supporters to defend his seat next year under the DCP ticket,” Mr Gachagua said after the meeting.

The current defections are, however, in total violation of the law. Section 14 of the political Parties Act, provides that a person who, while being a member of a political party, forms another political party, joins in the formation of another political party, joins another political party, in any way or manner, publicly advocates for the formation of another political party, promotes the ideology, interests or policies of another political party shall be deemed to have resigned from the previous political party.

mnyamori@ke.nationmedia.com

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