Former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has joined the Linda Mwananchi movement, marking a swift political realignment just hours after announcing her resignation from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Her entry into the opposition-leaning outfit was confirmed by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who welcomed her in a brief but loaded statement that suggested the move had already been sealed.
“Signing ingine mwecheche, Hon. Aisha Jumwa (Shangazi Wa Taifa) Kilifi is locked!” Orengo said, signalling confidence that the Kilifi political base is now within the movement’s reach.
Jumwa’s shift comes against the backdrop of growing discontent within UDA, where she had been a founding member and one of the party’s most vocal figures at the Coast.
In her exit statement on Thursday, she cited “deep reflection” and consultations with her supporters, but insiders point to deeper grievances that influenced her decision.
Among the key issues was what she described as unmet political promises following the 2022 elections, particularly around her ambitions to vie for the Kilifi governor’s seat in 2027.
She is also said to have grown frustrated by her diminishing influence within the party, despite her early role in building UDA’s presence in the region.
Sources indicate that repeated efforts to secure a meeting with President William Ruto to address her concerns did not materialise, further widening the disconnect.
At the same time, internal competition and shifting alliances within the party reportedly weakened her standing at the Coast, prompting a strategic exit.
Her immediate alignment with Linda Mwananchi now places her within a broader opposition network seeking to consolidate support ahead of the next general election.
The development is expected to reshape Coast politics, where Jumwa has remained a dominant and polarising figure.
Her departure from UDA also adds to a growing list of high-profile exits, underscoring intensifying political realignments as the 2027 race begins to take shape.
While she has yet to formally declare her long-term political platform, her entry into Linda Mwananchi signals a clear break from the ruling party and the start of a new political chapter.