Gatundu South Member of Parliament Gabriel Kagombe has announced that he is severing ties with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying he can no longer support the party over what he described as unfulfilled campaign promises and stalled development projects in his constituency.

Kagombe made the announcement on Tuesday while speaking at a funeral service in Karangi village, Kiambu County, where he said the decision followed consultations with residents of Gatundu South, who elected him on a UDA ticket in the 2022 General Election.

“After talking to my people who voted for me in Gatundu South, I have quit the UDA party and will follow the voice of the mountain,” Kagombe said.

The legislator accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to honour commitments made to voters during the 2022 campaigns, arguing that residents had lost confidence in the ruling party.

“William Ruto has lied to us for a long time, and we cannot enter the next general election on a UDA ticket because our people have completely severed ties with him and the party,” he said.

Among the issues Kagombe raised was the delayed rehabilitation of the Mau Mau road network, which he said remains a major concern for residents and farmers in Gatundu South. According to the MP, poor road infrastructure continues to hamper the transportation of agricultural produce and access to markets.

“Our Mau Mau roads have been given a wide berth by this government despite raising the matter with relevant offices, including the President, countless times. They have money to build stadiums and tarmac roads elsewhere, but when it gets to Gatundu South, projects stall,” Kagombe said.

Kagombe also criticized the government’s handling of the tea sector. Speaking in his capacity as a Zone One Director at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), he said tea farmers had yet to benefit from reforms that had been promised during the election campaign.

He cited the government’s failure to implement the proposed Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) for tea farmers and objected to measures such as the 0.8 per cent export levy and the proposed KSh3.85 per kilogramme bulk tea auction levy, arguing that the policies would reduce farmers’ earnings instead of improving them.

“Instead of cushioning farmers from economic pressures and market fluctuations, the government is introducing measures that oppress them. A government that does not consider tea matters or recognize the tea farmer must go,” Kagombe said.

Kagombe’s announcement comes amid shifting political alignments in the Mt. Kenya region, where several leaders have recently expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance on economic and development issues. His decision adds to growing political debate over infrastructure, agriculture and the delivery of campaign pledges ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Although Kagombe has announced that he is leaving UDA, he has not publicly stated which political party he intends to join or whether he will seek re-election under a different political outfit.

At the time of publication, UDA had not publicly responded to Kagombe’s remarks or the allegations he made regarding stalled development projects and tea sector reforms.

Kagombe’s move is expected to fuel further political discussions in Kiambu County and the wider Mt. Kenya region as leaders continue to position themselves ahead of the next General Election. However, whether his decision translates into broader political realignments will become clearer as the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum.