Longest Serving Rift Valley MP Facing Reelection Headache After Bitter Fallout With Ruto

She is one of the longest serving MPs in Kenya today having been in the game for over two decades now.

And as the clock ticks towards the 2027 general election, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara is facing acid test in her quest for a fourth term in office.

Kihara was first elected to Parliament in a 2003 by-election to succeed her husband who had passed on.

Though she lost her seat in 2007 to John Muthuto and again in 2013, she managed to make a comeback in 2017 when she recaptured the seat on a Jubilee Party ticket. 

In 2022, she was reelected for a third term in Parliament on President William Ruto's UDA party ticket.

However, as the clock ticks towards the 2027 general election, Kihara is facing a big test as she eyes a fourth term in office.

The veteran politician is one of those politicians elected on a UDA party ticket who have fallen out with Dr Ruto.

The Naivasha MP has been associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who has launched an onslaught against Dr Ruto.

Being from Ruto's Rift Valley region backyard, will Kihara's political choices cost her in her bid to be reelected?