Kilifi, Kenya – Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) is facing a serious political crisis after a wave of influential members defected to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Kilifi County, dealing a direct blow to the party’s influence in the Coastal region.
The defectors, whose identities have been confirmed by inside sources, pointed to their support for Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro—an ODM heavyweight—as the primary reason for switching allegiance. They expressed confidence that aligning with Mung’aro would strengthen their political standing in the county.
“Governor Mung’aro remains a central force in Kilifi politics,” one source noted. “Partnering with him is seen as a strategic move to boost relevance and clout.”
The loss is particularly stinging for PAA, which has positioned itself as a key regional party. It also complicates the ambitions of Kenya Roads Board Chairperson Aisha Jumwa, who recently left President William Ruto’s UDA to join PAA with eyes on the Kilifi governor seat in 2027.
Internal Pressure to Merge
Sources reveal that the defectors support growing calls for smaller parties like PAA to dissolve and merge with either President Ruto’s UDA or Raila Odinga’s ODM. This push comes amid efforts to consolidate the broad-based government formed in March 2025, following a historic memorandum of understanding between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
That unity government—born from the fallout of the deadly youth-led anti-tax protests in 2024—led to the dissolution of the previous cabinet and included five ODM members. Its stated goals are to stabilize the economy, foster national unity, combat corruption, manage debt, and improve public service delivery.
PAA Fights Back: “We Are Not Folding”
In response to the defections and merger rumors, PAA Secretary General Kenneth Tungule, who is also the Ganze MP, issued a strong denial. He insisted that the party has no plans to merge with UDA or any other political formation.
“We have no plans to fold up any time soon,” Tungule stated. “We are supporting President Ruto for a second term, but we are preparing to compete with other parties, particularly in the Coast region.”
Tungule dismissed the merger reports as false and emphasized the party’s commitment to maintaining its distinct political identity. He argued that dissolving parties would be undemocratic, limiting the choices available to Kenyan voters.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, PAA has scheduled a crucial delegates meeting for February 13, bringing together representatives from all six Coastal counties—Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River, and Lamu—to strategize for the upcoming elections.
The political realignments in Kilifi underscore the volatile and evolving landscape ahead of the 2027 polls. As parties juggle coalition loyalties and regional ambitions, the stability of Kenya’s broad-based government—and the future of its smaller political players—remains under watch.
For now, PAA is digging in, even as its foundations in Kilifi show signs of cracking.
