Cracks in the wall: Why leaders are exiting Kenya Kwanza

When the Kenya Kwanza coalition rose to power in 2022, it carried the hopes of millions and promised a new political dawn. 

Yet, two years later, a growing number of leaders are walking away from the alliance — some quietly, others with a loud bang.  

From discontent overpower struggles to frustrations with unfulfilled promises, the cracks are becoming impossible to ignore, raising the question: is Kenya Kwanza’s political house starting to crumble from within?  

Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, March 18, political expert Kennedy Ondiek shared insights on why leaders have distanced themselves from the ruling coalition.  

.

Keep Reading business

•  EU seeks to protect Europe aluminium sector amid Trump tariffs
•  Want to add music to your WhatsApp status? Here's how
•  Why tech-savvy young Turks are hot cake at helm of microinsurance
•  Mentor girls to pursue stem courses, professionals told
•  Kuscco to sell off loan book in bid to recover Sh8.8b amid fraud Premium

Ondiek, once a staunch Kenya Kwanza supporter, said his decision to now criticise the government stems from its failure to deliver on the promises made during the campaign period.  

“We all believed in the bottom-up narrative, which made a lot of sense. However, after studying it and realizing the owners of the narrative are just speaking about it without acting on it, it didn’t make sense. Furthermore, it doesn’t outline the exact way in which that ‘bottom’ will be elevated,” he said.  

Ken Ondiek: If you have a president who advises his advisers now who can you go to advise? If we are to move forward, we must know that as a country we gave ourselves a constitution and it gave us freedom of speech and association.#TheSituationRoom

Follow our live… pic.twitter.com/0lYWgUwbEK

— SpiceFM (@SpiceFMKE) March 18, 2025

His remarks came a day after embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza  announced her exit from the President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza. 

Earlier, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi also revealed that his party, the Democratic Party, had withdrawn from the coalition.  

According to Ondiek, lawmakers have realised that under Ruto’s leadership, they cannot fulfill the promises they made to their constituents, prompting their departure.  

“The government is Ruto, and Ruto is the government. The MPs are running away from Ruto’s promises — promises that were made but not fulfilled — and there is no clear strategy on how they will be achieved. Additionally, any attempt to fulfill them is crippled,” Ondiek opined.   

His sentiments echo concerns raised by other leaders.  

In 2023, Ruto was also accused of ignoring the Attorney General’s advice against including three advisors and a party secretary general from attending Cabinet meetings.
According to former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Eric Theuri, the then AG Justin Muturi wrote an advisory to the president last December informing the head of state of the illegality of such a move.

However, on July 27, Ruto cleared presidential advisors Monica Juma (National security), David Ndii (Economic affairs), Harriette Chiggai (Women affairs) and ex-UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala to be attending meetings of the highest decision-making organ in the country.

Last year, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino also expressed similar views, stating: “Ruto has advisors, but he advises them on how to advise him. He doesn’t take any advice.”

According to Ondiek, even when one goes out to speak about a policy and is given feedback, they are not allowed to be heard. 

“This government doesn’t listen to anything. It’s a government that’s messed and one that cannot be advised. If you have a president who advises his advisors, how can you offer meaningful counsel?” the expert posed.

Whether these defections signal a deeper political shift or are merely strategic moves ahead of the next election remains to be seen.