President William Ruto has welcomed former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa back to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), months after she abandoned the ruling party and joined Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper.
In a statement shared on Thursday, November 12, Ruto announced that he had received Jumwa back into UDA during a meeting at State House, Mombasa. The President said he looked forward to working with the former Gender Cabinet Secretary to advance the ruling party’s transformation agenda in the Coast region and other parts of the country.
He further reiterated his commitment to bringing leaders and Kenyans together around what he described as a shared vision of a united, inclusive and prosperous nation.
“Usawa ni Sawa, Mbele Pamoja,” Ruto stated.
Why did Aisha Jumwa quit UDA?
Jumwa’s return marks a significant shift in her political journey after she publicly announced her departure from UDA on July 30, 2026. The former Malindi MP cited frustration and what she described as humiliation within the party, particularly over her ambition to contest the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
She accused the party’s leadership of undermining her political ambitions and claimed that her concerns had not received a favourable response from the President.
Jumwa also alleged that she had been denied access to State House during a meeting involving Coast leaders, despite being among the founding members of UDA. At the time, she maintained that her loyalty to Kilifi residents was greater than her allegiance to any political party.
How Aisha Jumwa joined Kalonzo’s Wiper party
Following her departure from UDA, Jumwa moved to Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Movement in August 2026. During a reception at her Kakuyuni residence in Kilifi County, Kalonzo welcomed her into the party and proposed her for the position of Deputy Party Leader.
Jumwa subsequently declared her intention to pursue the Kilifi gubernatorial seat under the Wiper ticket, while also announcing plans to mobilise former UDA supporters in the county to join her new political camp.
Her latest return to UDA comes amid increased political realignments as leaders reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.