Kenya: Tabitha Karanja Quits UDA for DCP in Bid to Unseat Kihika

What the report says

Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has left Kenya’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and joined the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), according to Capital FM’s report republished by AllAfrica. She announced the move in Nakuru on October 9 and said she would run for the Nakuru governorship on the DCP ticket in the 2027 General Election.

The shift sets up a new contest with Governor Susan Kihika, who is seeking re-election. The report says both women were elected on UDA tickets in 2022, but their relationship has since broken down amid repeated public criticism from Karanja over county leadership and service delivery. Kihika has disputed those accusations and has threatened legal action over statements she views as defamatory.

Capital FM said Karanja’s departure follows months of criticism of UDA leadership and of figures close to President William Ruto. She had previously argued that the party was losing support because of internal problems and had suggested that some leaders were reconsidering their ties to it. Her move to DCP also fits a broader effort by Rigathi Gachagua’s party to build support in the Mount Kenya region ahead of the next election.

The development matters because it reshapes the political landscape in Nakuru and adds to wider realignments within Kenya’s ruling coalition. DCP has recently drawn in other leaders who have distanced themselves from UDA, signaling possible further shifts before 2027.