Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe has cut ties with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying the government has failed to deliver on promises made to residents who strongly supported President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration in the 2022 General Election.
Kagombe, who was elected on a UDA ticket, announced his decision during the burial of community leader Phyllis Njoki Kuria at Karangi village in Gatundu South, Kiambu County.
He said he could no longer remain in a party whose government, in his view, had failed to address key challenges facing his constituents.
One of the main issues raised by the MP was the condition of the Mau Mau roads, which he said had remained in poor shape for more than four years.
According to Kagombe, the state of the roads has affected economic activities in the constituency, especially farmers who depend on reliable transport to take their produce to markets.
“The people of Gatundu South have supported this government, but what have they received in return?” Kagombe posed.
He questioned the government’s development priorities, arguing that other parts of the country had received attention through projects such as stadiums, housing programmes and the Rironi–Mau Summit Road, while Gatundu South and parts of the Mt. Kenya region continued to face infrastructure challenges.
The MP also raised concerns about the tea sector, where he said farmers were facing growing financial pressure.
Kagombe, who also serves as Zone One director at the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), criticised the government’s handling of the Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) promise to tea farmers.
He particularly opposed the 0.8 per cent export levy and the proposed Ksh.3.85 per kilogramme bulk tea auction levy contained in the Tea Amendment Bill.
He argued that such charges could further reduce farmers’ earnings at a time when the cost of labour, fertiliser and other farm inputs has continued to rise.
“Serikali ambayo haifikirii mambo ya majani chai. Serikali ambayo haitambui mkulima wa majani chai. Hiyo serikali yenye inalipisha 0.8 per cent ni lazima iende. Hiyo serikali ambayo inasema itashughulikia mkulima na ni uongo,” he stated.
Kagombe also criticised the government’s fertiliser subsidy programme, claiming that farmers had been promised support that had not been fully delivered.
“Serikali ambayo inasema itapeana subsidy ya fertiliser, wanatuambia tuende tununue fertiliser watapeana pesa, iko Ksh.7 billion hawajalipa. Hiyo serikali ni lazima iende. ni serikali ya ‘one-term’,” he said.
His comments come as tea farmers continue to deal with changing green-leaf payments and international tea prices. The government had promised Guaranteed Minimum Returns for key agricultural value chains, including tea, as a way of giving farmers more predictable earnings.
Some Gatundu South residents have welcomed Kagombe’s decision, saying the constituency deserved more development after supporting the ruling administration.
However, the MP has not revealed which political party he will use to defend his seat in the 2027 General Election.
His announcement also follows his recent threat to leave UDA over the arrest of Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia. Kagombe had accused government officials of mishandling Kaguchia’s case after his arrest over remarks concerning how Mt Kenya residents should vote in 2027.
“Ruto, if you don’t release Kaguchia immediately, we will defect to Wamunyoro,” Kagombe stated on August 4, 2026.
Kagombe’s latest decision now leaves questions about his next political move as the 2027 elections draw closer.
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