Speaker Kingi Faces Blow as Key Party Members Decamp to ODM

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) has suffered a major setback after several influential members left the party to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Kilifi County. 

The defections come ahead of the 2027 elections and signal a potential reshaping of political alliances along the coast.

According to sources, the members cited their desire to support Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, an ODM stalwart, as their main reason for leaving PAA. 

They expressed confidence that aligning with Mung’aro would strengthen their political influence within the county.

The defectors also indicated support for the broad-based government of President William Ruto, formed in March 2025 through a coalition between UDA and ODM. 

The coalition, which emerged after deadly youth-led anti-tax protests in 2024, aims to stabilize the economy, improve public service delivery, and foster national unity.

Inside sources revealed that some members are pushing for smaller parties like PAA to merge with either UDA or ODM to consolidate the coalition, though PAA leadership has denied any plans to dissolve the party.

“This is false information. We have no plans to fold up anytime soon. We are supporting President Ruto for a second term but will continue to compete with other parties, particularly in the Coast region,” PAA Secretary General Kenneth Tungule, who also serves as Ganze MP, said.

The defections are a blow to PAA’s structures in Kilifi, particularly affecting Kenya Roads Board Chairperson Aisha Jumwa, who recently joined PAA from UDA with gubernatorial ambitions. The loss of key members could complicate her plans to contest the Kilifi County top seat in 2027.

PAA has scheduled a crucial delegates meeting on February 13, bringing together representatives from Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, and Lamu counties to strategize for the upcoming elections. 

Tungule emphasized that dissolving political parties would be undemocratic, arguing that Kenyans deserve a wide range of choices in selecting their leaders.

The defections underscore the continuing realignment of Kenya’s political landscape in the wake of the broad-based government agreement signed between President William Ruto and the late Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on March 7, 2025. 

The coalition aims to implement a ten-point agenda covering economic transformation, anti-corruption measures, and improved governance.