Nairobi lawyer and United Opposition member Ndegwa Njiru has responded humorously to the decision by Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe to remove President William Ruto’s official portrait from his office, shortly after announcing his departure from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
A video shared online by journalist John Mutongoi showed Kagombe taking down the President’s photograph from the wall where it had been displayed. The move has been widely viewed as a symbolic gesture reflecting his decision to distance himself from the ruling party.
Njiru, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, reacted to the video with a light-hearted comment, arguing that there is no law requiring citizens to display the President’s portrait in their homes or offices. He jokingly suggested that a photograph of a cow could be a more useful alternative, pointing out that a cow provides milk while the person depicted in the portrait could potentially present greater risks.
His remarks added a humorous dimension to what has otherwise been interpreted as a significant political statement by Kagombe. The MP recently announced his decision to leave UDA, amid increasing political realignments as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kagombe is among several elected leaders who have recently shown signs of distancing themselves from President Ruto and his political camp. Some leaders have attributed their decisions to pressure from their constituents, changing political circumstances and differences over the direction of the ruling party.
The removal of the portrait has therefore attracted considerable attention, particularly because political symbols often carry significance in Kenya’s highly competitive political environment. Kagombe’s action has been interpreted by some observers as an indication of the growing political shifts taking place ahead of the next elections.
Njiru’s response quickly generated interest online because of its humorous approach to the development. His remarks combined political commentary with satire, highlighting the increasingly public nature of the disagreements and realignments emerging within Kenya’s political landscape.
As political parties prepare for the 2027 polls, more leaders are expected to reassess their alliances and political positions. Kagombe’s departure from UDA and the symbolic removal of Ruto’s portrait have consequently become part of the wider conversation about the changing political alignments in the country.