Former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa is poised for a major political comeback after Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka proposed her for the position of Deputy Party Leader, barely two weeks after she walked away from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Kalonzo made the proposal during a visit to Jumwa at her home in Kakuyuni, Kilifi County, where he described the former CS as a formidable political figure whose experience would strengthen Wiper’s national ambitions.
The proposal comes as political parties intensify preparations and realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo courts Aisha Jumwa
According to reports from the meeting, Kalonzo asked those present to support Jumwa’s proposed elevation to the senior Wiper position.
The Wiper leader argued that Jumwa had accumulated significant political experience and deserved a prominent role within a national political outfit.
Kalonzo’s move effectively opens a new chapter in Jumwa’s political career after her increasingly strained relationship with the UDA administration.
Jumwa’s possible appointment also gives Wiper an opportunity to deepen its presence in the Coast region, where she has built a substantial political profile over several years.
Wiper leaders had already begun engaging Jumwa shortly after she announced her departure from UDA. On August 2, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako met the former CS during a church service in Malindi before proceeding to her residence for further discussions.
Why Jumwa left UDA
Jumwa announced her resignation from UDA on July 30, ending her association with Ruto’s political camp after several years.
In explaining her decision, the former CS said she had consulted widely and reflected on her political future before deciding to leave the ruling party.
She subsequently accused the administration of sidelining her despite the political support she had offered Ruto, particularly during his journey to the presidency.
Jumwa also said she intended to pursue her long-standing ambition of becoming Kilifi governor in the 2027 elections.
Her departure therefore carries significance beyond party membership because it places a prominent Coast politician outside the ruling party at a time when political alliances are rapidly taking shape.
A political journey spanning several parties
Jumwa has had a lengthy and sometimes turbulent political career.
According to parliamentary records, she served as a councillor in Kilifi Town Council before becoming its chairperson.
She later entered national politics and was elected Kilifi Woman Representative in 2013 before winning the Malindi parliamentary seat in 2017.
Her political career also included a stint in ODM before she became one of Ruto’s prominent allies.
She formally joined UDA ahead of the 2022 General Election and unsuccessfully contested the Kilifi gubernatorial seat on the party’s ticket.
Following Ruto’s victory, Jumwa was appointed to Cabinet, first serving as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action.
Parliament records show that she was among the politicians appointed to Cabinet after the 2022 elections.
Her rise from grassroots politics to Cabinet made her one of the most recognisable female politicians from the Coast.
Wiper’s wider political calculations
Jumwa’s proposed appointment comes against the backdrop of a broader reshaping of Kenya’s political landscape ahead of 2027.
Wiper has been seeking to strengthen its national footprint, while Kalonzo continues positioning himself as a major player in the next presidential contest.
The party has also announced other changes to its leadership, including the proposed appointment of former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau as party chairman, signalling an effort to reorganise its leadership structure.
For Wiper, bringing Jumwa into a senior leadership position could offer a strategic advantage in the Coast, where political competition remains intense.
For Jumwa, meanwhile, joining Wiper could provide a fresh political platform from which to pursue her gubernatorial ambitions.
Coast politics takes centre stage
The development is particularly significant because Jumwa has maintained a strong political presence in Kilifi for years.
Her decision to seek the governorship again could set up an interesting contest in 2027, especially as established parties and emerging political formations compete for influence in the county.
Jumwa’s political history shows that she has successfully moved between different political formations while retaining a significant following.
Her trajectory, from local councillor to woman representative, MP, Cabinet secretary and now a potential senior Wiper official, illustrates her ability to remain relevant despite changes in Kenya’s political alliances.
The proposed Wiper appointment could therefore mark not simply a change of party, but the beginning of another phase in Jumwa’s attempt to consolidate her political influence at the Coast.
With the 2027 election increasingly shaping political decisions, her next move will be closely watched, particularly in Kilifi and across the wider Coast region.
For now, Kalonzo’s proposal has placed Jumwa at the centre of a fresh political realignment, just weeks after her departure from the ruling party.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
