A newly elected Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Kisa East Ward in Kakamega County has defected from the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and joined the President William Ruto-backed United Democratic Alliance (UDA)-led TuTam movement.
The move is a setback for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and DCP leader Cleophas Malala, who have been seeking to consolidate support for the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa announced the defection during a political gathering, identifying the MCA, Dickson Aduda and welcoming him into the TuTam camp.
“Wacha kwanza nikarabishe MCA, ambaye ni Mheshimiwa Aduda. Huyu jamaa alichaguliwa kwa DCP. Lakini yeye saa hizi ni mwana-TuTam,” Barasa said.
The governor said Aduda had chosen to work with the TuTam camp, describing the move as evidence of growing support for the political outfit in the region.
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“Anasema yeye ni TuTam, ndio maana amekuja hapa, na tunashirikiana na yeye vizuri. Karibu sana MCA Aduda, ambaye ni mwana-TuTam,” Barasa added.
The defection comes as political alignments continue to take shape across Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 elections, with both the Kenya Kwanza administration and opposition parties intensifying efforts to win grassroots support.
The MCA was urged to support the development agenda, with speakers highlighting ongoing works on various roads and the installation of water pipes.
Addressing residents, the leaders called for political stability and cooperation to allow elected leaders to deliver development projects.
The latest move could provide a boost to Ruto and Barasa as they seek to strengthen their political influence in Kakamega, while posing a fresh challenge to Gachagua and Malala’s efforts to build a strong opposition network in Western Kenya.
The DCP has been positioning itself as a major vehicle for the opposition ahead of 2027, with Gachagua pushing for the formation of a broad alliance capable of fielding a single presidential candidate against Ruto.
However, defections by elected leaders could complicate those efforts by weakening the opposition’s grassroots networks and signalling shifting political loyalties ahead of the polls.
Aduda backs Barasa
In his address to residents, Aduda openly rallied support for Governor Barasa, citing ongoing development projects as the reason for his political backing.
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Aduda pointed to road works in the area, saying residents could see the governor’s development record for themselves.
“Barasa is getting the job done. You can see for yourselves that he is working, can’t you? He has really stepped up for me; he has graded the road; you can see that, right? And he has also promised to tarmac the road from Munjiti, hasn’t he? He is a man of action, isn’t he?” Aduda said.
He also highlighted ongoing water infrastructure projects, noting that pipes were being installed in the area.
