Ruto throws PAA into disarray after State House meeting

Rabai MP Kenga Mupe has officially left the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) to join United Democratic Alliance (UDA). [Robert Menza, Standard]

Senate speaker Amason Kingi’s  Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) has been thrown into disarray after the party leader and the three elected MPs met President William Ruto at state house.

Although Kingi and the top leaders are yet to call a meeting to announce the party's political direction, the elected leaders have already aligned themselves with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Kingi, who is the party leader, visited the president with Ganze MP and PAA secretary general Kenneth Kazungu Tungule, Rabai MP Kenga Mupe, and Kinango MP Gonzi Rai, among others.

Rabai MP Kenga Mupe has officially left the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) to join United Democratic Alliance (UDA). [Robert Menza, Standard]

They met the president at the height of pressure from him to have PAA join the UDA bandwagon ahead of the 2027 general election.

Yesterday, deputy party leader Hassan Albeity, who did not attend the state house meeting, confirmed there was pressure for PAA to join UDA but said it has not been ratified by the party leadership since they are yet to hold a meeting.

"The truth is that there has been pressure for PAA to join UDA, but we have not met yet," he said.

Mr Mupe and Mr Rai are already on the campaign trail for themselves, President Ruto, and UDA.

Last week, Mr Mupe announced his formal defection from PAA to UDA at Kisurutini in Rabai, where he was received by Youths and Sports CS Salim Mvurya.

Mupe said he wanted to be in UDA so as to get development, particularly water, roads, health services, and education.

He made the decision in Kisurutini ward in Rabai constituency on Thursday afternoon while in the company of Youth and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Lungalunga MP Mangale Chiforomodo.

“I have decided to defect to UDA to ensure that the residents of Rabai benefit from government projects and services. I want to be closer to government,” he said.

He however, said he will continue to support Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro of ODM in his bid for a second term in office.

Rai has indicated on his social media platform that he is now in UDA even as he campaigned for President Ruto.

Mvurya said he visited Rabai constituency to witness Mupe join UDA, adding that President William Ruto was the first president to run a government that included all communities.

“Kenga was elected on a PAA ticket. But he has realised that it is the government that brings development. I have come to witness him cross over to UDA,” Mvurya said.

He said the government has embarked on the expansion of the Mombasa-Malindi highway and the Jomvu-Mariakani highway in the Coast region.

“President Ruto will also give out title deeds in the Coast region. Those competing with him have nothing to show in this region, and hence I am urging residents to shun them,” he said.