Veronica Maina succeeds Tabitha Keroche as Senate Deputy Majority Leader.
Speaker Amason Kingi confirms UDA’s leadership change after Keroche joined Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP and declared her bid for Nakuru governor.
Nominated Senator Veronica Maina has replaced Tabitha Keroche as Senate Deputy Majority Leader, taking office immediately. Speaker Amason Kingi confirmed the change after the ruling United Democratic Alliance resolved to remove Keroche.
The move follows Keroche’s defection to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. She also plans to challenge Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika in the 2027 General Election.
Kingi confirms Veronica Maina’s appointment
Kingi told senators that Senate Majority Whip David Wakoli had submitted correspondence dated November 3 communicating the party’s decision. The submission also included meeting minutes and a signed list of senators supporting the resolution.
The Speaker said the Majority Party had resolved to remove Keroche under Standing Order 22(5). It then elected Maina as her replacement under Standing Order 22(6).
After verifying the correspondence, Kingi formally notified the House of the change in the deputy leadership office. He confirmed that Maina would take over immediately, completing the parliamentary confirmation of the Majority Party’s decision.
Keroche targets Nakuru governorship on DCP ticket
Keroche announced on October 9 that she would contest the Nakuru governorship on a DCP ticket. That declaration set up a political contest with Kihika, who belongs to UDA. The two have also had an increasingly public political dispute.
Keroche won her Senate seat on a UDA ticket in 2022. However, she has increasingly criticised the ruling party’s leadership, accusing influential figures around President William Ruto of undermining its popularity.
In July, she attributed UDA’s defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election to political arrogance and intimidation. She also blamed the conduct of leaders close to the President.
Keroche urged Ruto to change his inner circle, arguing that its members were damaging his reputation. She further warned that dissatisfaction within UDA was prompting leaders to reconsider their political affiliations ahead of the next election.
