Millicent Omanga Removed from Government Board after Political Fallout with UDA

Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga has been removed from the board of directors of Kenya Shipyards Limited amid her growing political differences with President William Ruto and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The dismissal was confirmed through a gazette notice issued by Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya on April 30, 2026.

According to the notice, Omanga’s appointment to the board was officially revoked with immediate effect.

She had originally been appointed to the position on January 14, 2025, and was expected to serve for a period of three years before her term was cut short.

The gazette notice explained that the decision was made under powers granted by the State Corporations Act and the Interpretation and General Provisions Act.

The government formally announced that Omanga would no longer serve as a member of the Kenya Shipyards Limited board starting April 30, 2026.

Her removal has attracted significant public attention because it comes at a time when she has become one of the loudest critics of President Ruto’s administration.

Omanga, who was previously seen as a close ally of the president and UDA leadership, has recently shifted her political stance and joined former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua’s newly formed Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

The DCP party has been positioning itself as an alternative political movement advocating for better governance, accountability, and a proposal to limit President Ruto to a single term in office.

Omanga’s association with the new political camp has fueled speculation that her dismissal may have been influenced by the widening political divide between the government and former allies who have now turned critics.

After news of her removal emerged, Omanga responded publicly through social media with a sarcastic statement suggesting that she was unaware she was still serving on the board.

She claimed that the role appeared to exist only “on paper” and joked about the level of coordination within government institutions.

Her remarks quickly sparked debate online, with many Kenyans questioning how she could claim ignorance about a position she had previously occupied publicly.

Several social media users shared older photos allegedly showing Omanga attending board activities and meetings at the Mombasa Shipyards earlier in January 2026.

A section of Kenyans accused the former senator of attempting to mislead the public. Others questioned whether she had continued receiving board sitting allowances and benefits while now claiming she was unaware of her continued service on the board.

Some online users argued that public officials should fully understand the responsibilities and positions they hold, especially when serving in state corporations funded by taxpayers.

Others criticized her response as dismissive and insensitive at a time when many Kenyans are demanding accountability from leaders and public institutions.

The online reactions became increasingly heated, with critics demanding investigations into whether she received allowances during her tenure.

Others mocked her explanation, saying the claim of not knowing she was still on the board damaged her credibility as a public figure.

The controversy surrounding Omanga’s dismissal has also reignited conversations about political loyalty within government appointments.

Analysts note that changes in political alignment often lead to appointments and removals in state corporations, especially when leaders openly oppose the administration that appointed them.

Meanwhile, Omanga is not the only politician recently removed from a government-linked position after parting ways with President Ruto’s camp.

In a separate development, former Kirinyaga woman representative Purity Ngirici was also dismissed from her role as chairperson and director of the Kenya Seed Company board shortly after distancing herself politically from the president.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi reportedly ordered her immediate removal from the parastatal. Unlike Omanga’s case, no detailed explanation was provided publicly regarding the decision before the expiry of her term.

Following her dismissal, Ngirici posted a cryptic message online, fueling further speculation about growing tensions between the government and former political allies who have recently shifted their loyalties.

The latest developments continue to highlight the changing political landscape in Kenya, where alliances are rapidly evolving ahead of future political battles.

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