PAA leader and Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi. Photo Courtesy. 
By Ben Okweingoti
A section of Kilifi residents and grassroots leaders has criticized Senate Speaker Amason Kingi over his decision to dissolve the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), terming the move a self-serving political decision that could cost him support in the future.
Speaking at separate forums, the residents said the decision demonstrated that the former Kilifi Governor was not committed to advancing the political interests of the coastal region through a regional party as previously promised.
Led by Malindi resident Hans Ondiek, they claimed that party members were not consulted before the dissolution and only learned of the move when Kingi publicly announced that he had joined UDA during an Iftar dinner organized by the party at the Swahili Port in Mombasa a few days ago.
Ondiek said the move had disappointed many supporters who had viewed PAA as a political vehicle to champion the region’s interests and offer an alternative to the dominance of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the Coast region.
“It is unfortunate that a party formed to champion the interests of the coastal people has been quietly dissolved, with its leader joining UDA. For many supporters who believed it would offer an alternative political voice in the region, this feels like a betrayal,” he said.
He further argued that leaders associated with the broad-based government could face challenges securing re-election in Kilifi and across the country due to growing public dissatisfaction over the current economic situation.
Ondiek also accused President William Ruto of seeking to consolidate political power through UDA and ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During the Iftar dinner in Mombasa, Kingi surprised supporters by formally announcing his move to UDA and declaring that the ruling party would field candidates in all elective positions in the Coast region.
“In 2022, PAA had a candidate for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat, George Kithi, and he is here with us in UDA. At one point we also brought in Aisha Jumwa from UDA into PAA, but now we have folded the party and joined UDA,” Kingi said.
He added that UDA intends to actively compete in the region despite ODM’s strong political presence.
“UDA will field candidates in all positions in the Coast region. We know it will not be easy because ODM is strong here, but we are ready for the contest,” he said.
The dissolution of PAA follows a period of political setbacks for the party after more than 500 grassroots leaders in Kilifi defected to ODM and were received by Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
Elizabeth Muthoka, one of the former PAA members who defected before the party’s dissolution, said supporters had initially backed the party believing it would address issues affecting residents.
She claimed that the party’s founding vision had gradually shifted, prompting many members to reconsider their support.
“We had a vision and ideology when PAA was formed, but many supporters later felt that those ideals had been abandoned, prompting us to walk away,” Muthoka said.
She further claimed that during a recent meeting at State House, President Ruto allegedly encouraged PAA leaders to dissolve the party and align themselves with either UDA or ODM as part of broader political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Muthoka said many leaders in Kilifi ultimately opted to join ODM, citing the party’s strong support base in the coastal region.
“We initially believed PAA could challenge ODM in the region, but we later realized ODM’s influence here remains very strong,” she said.
Meanwhile, UDA also suffered a setback after several grassroots leaders, led by National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) director Ruth Bendera, defected to ODM.
Bendera said she chose to join ODM because the party allowed space for diverse opinions, unlike UDA, where she claimed local leadership disputes had created internal divisions.
