Ukambani leaders to Ruto: Address rift between UDA, Maendeleo Chap Chap

Government-allied leaders in Ukambani are urging President William Ruto to intervene and ease growing tensions between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its Kenya Kwanza partner, Maendeleo Chap Chap.

Speaking at a press briefing, UDA leaders and aspirants cautioned that the ongoing rivalry could undermine the coalition’s cohesion and weaken the President’s political support in the region.

They noted that if the disagreements are not addressed promptly, they could fracture the coalition’s base in Lower Eastern and provide an opportunity for the opposition.

Currently, the Kenya Kwanza alliance in Ukambani appears divided into two camps: one associated with Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and led by MPs Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West) and Caleb Mule (Machakos Town), and another aligned with Vincent Kawaya (Mwala), supported by Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga), Rachel Nyamai (Kitui South), Fabian Kyule (Kangundo) and Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda.

The leaders appealed to the President to restore order and prevent internal competition from destabilising the coalition in a region where his team has been working to build influence.

The dispute intensified last Friday during the launch of the Maendeleo Chap Chap candidate for the Mumbuni North ward by-election.

During the event, Mutuse criticised a section of UDA leaders from the area, accusing them of interfering with what he described as another colleague’s constituency.

He also claimed that all national government engagements in the area should be channelled through Mule.

However, UDA-affiliated leaders, including Frida Wendo, Innocent Musumbi and Eric Mumo, defended Kawaya and dismissed Mutuse’s remarks.

They argued that UDA has a constitutional right to field a candidate in the Mumbuni North by-election and cautioned against undermining internal party democracy.

Mumo, the UDA Events Coordinator for Lower Eastern, urged the President to step in and provide guidance to avoid further escalation.

“The President should define roles for each leader and encourage them to work within their mandates to prevent unnecessary clashes. If left unchecked, this situation could affect voter confidence in Ukambani,” he said.

Wendo added that concerns about UDA’s candidate should be raised with the party leadership, noting that the candidate was cleared by Secretary General Hassan Omar.

Musumbi stressed the need for urgent dialogue to end the conflict.

“The President should call for a truce and end these leadership disagreements. If the coalition partners keep clashing, it will be the people at the grassroots who suffer,” he said.