Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

President William Ruto faces a fresh setback as former Agriculture Cabinet secretary Mithika Linturi delivers a stunning blow, publicly announcing his resignation from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

In a statement to the UDA secretary-general on Wednesday, May 14, Linturi said he initially joined the party because he supported its philosophy and dedication to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

However, he indicated that he decided to leave after concluding that the party had failed to uphold its philosophy, mandate, mission, values, and objectives.

“Such a party has no moral authority to bear the name of a political party. This is a party akin to the Biblical Tower of Babel,” Linturi said in the statement.

The former Cabinet secretary accused UDA of showing complete disregard for the Kenyan people and the nation in its two years in power. He further argued that the party has disrespected the constitution, ignored the rule of law, and failed to heed the voices of the citizens.

“I do not wish, nor would I ever wish that any Kenyan would belong to a party that is repugnant to its philosophy, a party that tolerates corruption, abduction and brutal murder of our young people, overtaxes Kenyans, a party that has no respect for women and children. It is in this realisation that I, Hon. Mithika Linturi, a patriotic Kenyan, tender my resignation as a member of the United Democratic Alliance—UDA with immediate effect,” part of Linturi’s statement read.

He added that he has informed the Registrar of Political Parties of his decision to resign from UDA.

Linturi’s resignation comes days after former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua quit UDA, sharply criticising the party’s leadership.

In a letter to Ruto and other party officials, Gachagua accused the party of drifting away from its original values, calling it “a dangerous political entity”.

He said the party had failed to fulfil the economic, social, and political commitments made to Kenyans during the 2022 election.

Gachagua cited the collapse of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, claiming key initiatives like the Hustler Fund, housing, healthcare reforms, agricultural development, and the digital economy have been reduced to corrupt personal projects.

He also pointed to shortages of fertiliser and land grabbing in the agricultural sector, while condemning payroll deductions related to housing and the failure to deliver on job creation promises.

He described the healthcare system as “collapsed” and accused the government of turning it into a commercial enterprise.

The former Mathira MP also faulted the management of sports, education, women’s issues, and social protection, saying the party has overlooked vulnerable groups and fallen short in ensuring equity in education and governance.

Source: TUKO.co.ke