Former CS Aisha Jumwa Under Fire as Kaya Elders Dismiss Defection Claims

By Ben Okweingoti.

Former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has come under sharp criticism from Mijikenda Kaya elders, who have accused her of misleading Kenyans over her reasons for defecting from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

Speaking during a meeting at Kaya Fungo Giriama in Kaloleni Sub-county, Kilifi County, the elders dismissed Jumwa's recent claims that President William Ruto's administration had failed to support or reward her since taking office in 2022.

The elders, led by Kilifi County Chairman Katana Yaa, also distanced themselves from a group that recently visited Jumwa at her Kakuyuni home in Malindi Sub-county following her departure from UDA, insisting the visit was not sanctioned by the recognized Kaya leadership.

"We have never convened as Kaya elders to organize a visit to Aisha Jumwa. Those claiming to represent us acted on their own, and their actions do not reflect the position of the Kaya elders," Yaa said.

He noted that the last official gathering of the Kaya elders had resolved to support both the Kilifi County Government under Governor Gideon Mung'aro and the national government led by President William Ruto.

Jumwa, while announcing her defection from UDA, claimed she had not benefited from President Ruto's administration and alleged she had repeatedly been promised a Cabinet position without success.

However, records show that she served in President Ruto's first Cabinet as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service before being moved to the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage during a Cabinet reshuffle. She remained in government until 2024, when the Cabinet was dissolved following the Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill.

Although she was not reappointed to the reconstituted Cabinet, Jumwa later served as Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board before a court earlier this year nullified her appointment, declaring it unlawful.

Kaya elder Ronald Mkindo from Kaya Kambe claimed he was misled into attending the meeting at Jumwa's residence, saying he was unaware of its purpose until he arrived.

"It felt like an abduction because I was hurriedly picked from my home without being told where we were going. It was only after arriving in Kakuyuni that I realized we had been presented as Kaya elders," Mkindo said.

According to Mkindo, Jumwa complained during the meeting that President Ruto had denied her employment despite her previous service as a Cabinet Secretary.

He further alleged that Jumwa claimed she had defected from UDA after being denied the party's ticket to contest the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in next year's elections.

"I was surprised because campaigns and party nominations are still far away," he added.

Mijikenda Kaya Youth Leader Nguma Charo also criticized the former Cabinet Secretary, accusing her of distorting facts about her record in government.

"It is unfortunate for a leader of her stature to claim she never served in President Ruto's government when the whole country knows she was a Cabinet Secretary. She had the opportunity to serve Kenyans but failed to make a meaningful impact, including for the Mijikenda community," Charo said.

He also recalled past remarks by Jumwa that drew public criticism, saying many residents had not forgotten comments in which she contrasted her lifestyle with that of ordinary wananchi.

Charo urged President Ruto and Governor Gideon Mung'aro to continue working with leaders committed to advancing development across the Coast region, regardless of their political affiliations.