Tabitha Karanja Explains Why She Turned Against UDA Over Unmet Promises to Kenyans

Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has explained the public dissatisfaction behind her decision to leave the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and join Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), accusing the government of failing to meet Kenyans’ expectations.

Karanja said her decision followed what she had heard from ordinary citizens, many of whom, she claimed, were disappointed by the government they had supported during the 2022 General Election.

Addressing supporters, the senator said she had listened to concerns on the ground and concluded that many voters were yet to experience the changes they had hoped for when they elected President William Ruto.

“I have listened to the ground, and the people have told me: We had a lot of expectations for this government. We woke up very early in the morning to vote for this government. But the expectations you had — have you received them?” she asked.

Her remarks offered a glimpse into the reasons behind her political realignment, with the senator presenting dissatisfaction among voters as a key factor in her decision to work with Gachagua’s party.

Karanja also questioned whether the President fully understood the economic difficulties facing households, pointing to the rising cost of basic commodities as evidence of the pressure on consumers.

She cited milk prices as an example, arguing that Kenyans were struggling with the increasing cost of everyday necessities.

“I can see that our president does not understand the needs of the people. The president does not see ahead. Recently I went to the supermarket and found the prices of milk have risen. It is very shameful for Kenya to lack milk,” she said.

The senator used her appearance to signal her commitment to DCP, making it clear that she intended to pursue her political ambitions under the party.

She also drew attention to her green clothing and accessories, including her ring, as she addressed supporters, using the colour to underline her new political alignment.

“Look at me. Can’t you see even the ring is green? Even those watching can see everything is green,” Karanja said before declaring that she would fight for the seat under DCP.

Her criticism of the government comes as political leaders position themselves around public concerns over the cost of living, economic opportunities and the delivery of campaign promises.

For Karanja, the message was that political support must be measured against what citizens experience in their daily lives, rather than the promises made during election campaigns.

Before entering elective politics, Karanja built her reputation in Kenya’s manufacturing sector as the founder and longtime chief executive of Keroche Breweries, a locally owned brewing company.

Her business career brought her national recognition, including during disputes involving taxation and regulatory authorities.

She entered the political arena on a UDA ticket ahead of the August 2022 General Election and won the Nakuru senatorial seat, succeeding Susan Kihika, who was elected governor of the county.

In the Senate, Karanja has been associated with economic issues and the interests of local manufacturers, alongside matters affecting Nakuru residents.

Her move to DCP now places her within Gachagua’s political camp as parties and leaders seek to consolidate support ahead of future electoral contests.

However, her criticism of the administration and her account of voters’ frustrations remain her own assessment of the political situation. The remarks do not, by themselves, establish how widely those views are shared among Nakuru residents or the wider electorate.

Karanja’s explanation nevertheless puts the focus on a central question for the government: whether the expectations that persuaded Kenyans to vote for it in 2022 have been met, particularly on the cost of living and other everyday economic concerns.