Gatundu South Member of Parliament Gabriel Kagombe has declared that he can no longer support the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing the government of failing to meet commitments made to his constituents.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Kagombe, who won the Gatundu South seat on a UDA ticket in the 2022 General Election, said residents had grown frustrated with what he described as unmet promises under President William Ruto’s administration.

“I don’t think we can go into another election with UDA. And here, I don’t think we will be able to listen to anything from Ruto anymore. He has lied to us too much, lies that we can no longer tolerate,” he said during a community event.

He added “When I listen to what is happening here, I think the party we were elected with, UDA, is the one oppressing us. And I am a servant of the people of Gatundu. Whenever they hear the name Ruto or UDA, they cry out.”

📌 What You Need to Know

Kagombe criticised the government’s handling of the tea sector, particularly measures that he said would increase costs for growers without providing sufficient protection for their incomes.

He has previously been a vocal opponent of the proposed 0.8 per cent levy on tea exports, arguing that the charge should not be imposed without parliamentary approval and could ultimately reduce farmers’ earnings .

The MP has further raised concerns over the proposed Ksh3.85 per kilogramme bulk tea auction levy and other charges affecting tea farmers, including levies imposed by the Kiambu County Government.

Kagombe also questioned the implementation of the government’s fertiliser subsidy, claiming that Ksh7 billion in reimbursements remained unpaid to farmers.

In addition, the lawmaker said the poor state of the Mau Mau roads remained a major concern for residents and farmers in the constituency.

He argued that inadequate road infrastructure had affected the movement of agricultural produce and added to the economic difficulties facing local farmers.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke