United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders are feeling the political tremors after the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, with mounting tensions spilling over into public events.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and several other UDA officials faced a hostile crowd in Bahati during a funeral service on Friday, as locals openly rejected efforts to promote President William Ruto's agenda.

The backlash points to the deepening political divide following Gachagua's ouster.

Governor Kihika encountered her first signs of trouble when she began reading a condolence message from President Ruto. The moment Ruto’s name was mentioned, the crowd grew agitated, with jeers and murmurs quickly drowning out Kihika’s voice.

Her attempts to calm the mourners were futile as frustration simmered over the impeachment fallout.

The gathering had initially been meant to offer support to Bahati MP Irene Njoki, whose brother was being laid to rest. However, political undertones overshadowed the sombre event, with the mention of Ruto’s government sparking outrage among the attendees.

Kihika, aware of the rising tensions, remarked in Kikuyu, “I see you have become quite vocal. We appreciate your feedback.”

The event turned into a political nightmare for UDA, with Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Muratha also facing a cold reception. Known for leading mourners in traditional songs, Muratha was left singing alone, the crowd refusing to join in—a rare show of defiance in a region traditionally loyal to the ruling party.

As the atmosphere grew more charged, other leaders chose to distance themselves from the ongoing political crisis. Former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, who now serves in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), skilfully sidestepped the subject.

"I don’t want to talk about what’s happening here. My focus is in Tanzania. Ask me about Arusha or Somalia, and I’ll have something to say," Kega told the crowd, signalling his reluctance to wade into the growing fallout.

The resistance from locals, largely from President Ruto’s political stronghold in Mt Kenya, highlights the precarious position UDA leaders now find themselves in. Some MPs from the region had backed Gachagua’s impeachment in earlier votes, but later changed their stance after sensing public displeasure. The shifting political winds have left them grappling with a new reality as they try to maintain their political standing.

The impeachment motion against Gachagua, currently before the Senate, has already prompted speculation over his replacement. According to insiders, top contenders for the deputy president's seat include Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri. With Gachagua’s future hanging in the balance, political heavyweights are jostling to secure the influential position.

As Gachagua braces for a Senate vote next Thursday, UDA’s leadership faces increasing scrutiny over its handling of the impeachment and its fallout. The party’s internal fractures, now publicly visible, could have far-reaching consequences for its hold on the region.

The current backlash suggests that the impeachment has struck a nerve with Gachagua's supporters, who view the move as a betrayal. Despite UDA's efforts to rally behind President Ruto, the political landscape has shifted, and leaders who were once untouchable now face a hostile electorate.