The Anatomy of a Fallout: From Loyal Ally to Vocal Critic
The seeds of this divorce were sown in the early months of 2026. For years, Millicent Omanga—popularly known as “Mama Miradi”—was a cornerstone of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). She was a vocal defender of President William Ruto, a key mobilizer in the “Hustler Nation” movement, and a symbol of the party’s grassroots appeal among women and small-scale traders.
However, by February 2026, the cracks became visible. Omanga began expressing public dissatisfaction with the UDA leadership, specifically citing a “broken promise” regarding gender equality. She argued that despite the administration’s campaign rhetoric about the two-thirds gender rule, the reality of government appointments remained heavily skewed.
The breaking point arrived on March 19, 2026. In a move that sent shockwaves through the political establishment, Omanga appeared at the headquarters of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). Standing alongside former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had recently taken the helm of the DCP and the broader “United Opposition,” she officially tendered her resignation from UDA.
The “Mama Mboga” Critique
Omanga’s transition from ally to adversary was not quiet. During a fiery interview on Milele Radio on April 10, 2026, she delivered a critique that resonated across the country. She accused the administration of “instrumentalizing” women and grassroots organizers for political gain.
“I was used. I didn’t know that my role was just to seek votes from the ‘Mama Mbogas’… and then be set aside once the goals were met. It was a deception (kuhadaa),” she remarked.
This rhetoric positioned her directly against the “Bottom-Up” economic narrative she once championed, making her a primary target for the government’s disciplinary machinery.
The Gazette Notice: April 30, 2026
The hammer finally fell on April 30, 2026. Through Gazette Notice No. 6391, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya exercised the powers conferred by the State Corporations Act to officially revoke Omanga’s appointment to the Board of Directors of Kenya Shipyards Limited.
The revocation was immediate. While the notice itself did not state a reason, the political context was undeniable. Omanga had been appointed to the role in January 2025 for a three-year term, meaning she had served less than half of her tenure before being shown the door.
The “Invisible Board” Controversy
The story took a bizarre turn when Omanga responded to the news on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she attempted to dismiss the significance of her removal:
“Apparently, I’ve just been officially removed from a board I didn’t even know I was still serving on. Impressive level of coordination… decisions being made about roles that only exist on paper lol.”
This strategy of “acting unaware” backfired almost instantly. Within hours, Kenyans online surfaced photographic evidence of her active participation in the board. Specifically, records showed she had attended the 17th Board of Directors Meeting at the Mombasa Shipyard on January 30, 2026. Photos from the event depicted her in a brown dotted dress, sitting alongside high-ranking military officials, including the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General John Omenda.
The backlash was swift, with critics accusing her of being insincere and demanding that she return any “sitting allowances” or salaries she had earned from a role she now claimed was non-existent.
