Wamuzi News Ke
In a significant shake-up of Kenya’s political landscape, former Wajir East Member of Parliament Rashid Kassim Amin has officially left the Wiper Democratic Movement – Kenya (WDM-K) to join the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, further intensifying questions about shifting alliances ahead of upcoming county and national elections.
The switch was confirmed on Saturday, October 25, 2025, when Amin was formally received by UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan at the party’s head office on Ngong Road, Nairobi.
Why the defection?
In a statement to the press, Amin explained the move as rooted not in personal gain but in service to his constituents. He emphasised that his decision followed “deep reflection and extensive consultation with religious leaders, supporters and community elders.”
He went further to state that as a representative from Wajir and the broader Northern Kenya region, he could not oppose a government he believed was delivering “tangible results” for his people — an apparent swipe at his former party’s position in national politics.
Implications for Northern Kenya and national politics
Amin’s defection is part of a growing pattern: he follows two other Wiper MPs who have recently joined UDA, signalling increasing attrition within WDM-K’s ranks.
For UDA and the administration of William Ruto, this move is a strategic win. It strengthens the party’s reach into Northern Kenya — a region historically underrepresented in the power corridors and often politically fluid.
For Wiper, the departure of Amin presents a potential erosion of support in a region where clan, religious and community networks deeply influence political loyalties.
What this means on the ground
- For constituents in Wajir East and surrounding constituencies, Amin’s move suggests greater alignment with the national government’s programmes — potentially faster access to development projects and fund flows.
- Politically, party switching of this magnitude at this stage of the electoral cycle may stir tensions locally, as rival candidates recalibrate.
- At the national level, analysts may interpret the defection as a signal of UDA’s growing dominance, and WDM-K’s waning grip in parts of the country.
Outlook: Speeding toward election season
With general elections on the horizon, every defection alters the balance of power. For Amin, the challenge will be to justify his switch to his voters and to deliver on the development promises he emphasised. For UDA, the task is to convert high-profile defections into concrete support and outcomes.
Observers will be watching whether this move triggers further defections, how opposition parties respond, and what this means for the broader “vote-horses” game in Kenya.
Bottom line
In leaving Wiper for UDA, Rashid Kassim Amin has made a bold political statement — aligning himself more directly with the presidency’s agenda and wagering that his constituency’s interests align with that of the government. Whether this gamble yields dividends for his people — and for the parties that now vie for their loyalty — remains to be seen.
