Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri Maina explains why she will not resign from UDA
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 27, 2026Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has ruled out resigning from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), even as she openly admits supporting Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) on what she terms a matter of principle.
Speaking during a morning interview on Monday, April 27, 2026, Maina said she remains a UDA member but does not currently subscribe to the party’s ideals.
“I’m a UDA member, certainly,” she said when asked about her party membership. However, she added, “No,” when pressed on whether she still champions UDA’s ideals.
She defended her position by saying she represents her constituents first and not just a party line.
“I’m representing my people,” she said.
Maina questioned the Political Parties Act and how it applies to politicians who appear to support more than one political formation. She argued that Kenya’s political reality does not reflect strict party discipline, pointing to cases where leaders from different parties attend each other’s political events.
She cited instances where leaders cross political lines without consequence, saying the system already allows political flexibility in practice.
“We’ve seen a crisscross of the same. I do think that is the thing with our democracy,” she said.
Maina also argued that political parties in Kenya operate more as election vehicles than ideology-based institutions. She said this makes it easier for politicians to shift support when they feel a party no longer reflects their beliefs.
“If UDA had been founded on ideologies and was adhering to the same ideologies, I would not find the need to shift to maybe an allegiance that I feel supports my ideological thinking,” she said.
Rejects costly by-election call
She acknowledged that under a strict reading of the law, she would be expected to resign from UDA and seek a fresh mandate. However, she rejected that path, citing cost to taxpayers.
“If it were to be in the strict sense of it, yes, I would be required to resign as part of the Political Parties Act and seek a fresh mandate,” she said. “But why would I cost the Kenyan taxpayer over maybe 100 million to do a by-election while we have a deficiency in school capitation funding?”
Maina insisted that triggering a by-election close to the 2027 polls would not make sense given current economic pressures. She said leaders should consider public spending before making political decisions.
She also said she is open to contesting future elections either as an independent candidate or on a different party ticket, depending on political circumstances.
“I have the option also of vying as an independent candidate. That is provided for under our laws,” she said.
On her support for DCP, Maina said she bases her political choices on principle, not convenience. She added that she would also withdraw support if any party she aligns with changes its direction.
“As a matter of principle. Same principle that made you support UDA? Certainly,” she said.
She further defended her position on political rights, arguing that the Constitution allows freedom of association. She said politicians should not be forced to stay in parties that no longer reflect their beliefs.
“I do think that the Constitution is supreme in regard to the freedom of association,” she said.
However, she maintained that resigning simply to meet legal expectations would not serve the public interest.
“I don’t think it would be prudent as a leader who knows the struggles of the Kenyan people to just resign for political reasons,” she said.
Maina concluded that Kenya must balance the rule of law with political reality, adding that leaders should act in a way that avoids unnecessary cost to taxpayers while still respecting constitutional freedoms.