A section of elected leaders in Nyamira have join the Azimio la Umoja coalition that was established recently by the ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The leaders include Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, who is a member of ANC and deputy governor James Gesami who is in ODM.
Since he took office in January last year, Nyaribo has been seen with the ODM leader on several occasions, a clear indication that he has followed Raila’s route politically.
Nyamira Woman MP Jerusha Momanyi who was elected on a Jubilee ticket in 2017 has also decamped to the Azimio la Umoja.
"We are in Azimio now since we have established where we need to be going as a country.
"Even as we battle for this positions, let us maintain peace and remember positions will come and go, but we will remain Kenyans,” Momanyi who is running for a second term said on Friday.
The Woman MP seems to be rallying behind Interior CS Fred Matiang’i who is backing a Raila presidency.
Last week, the Interior CS outlined his support for Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta in the spirit of the handshake.
“I am behind the President and the ODM leader Raila Odinga since they decided to come together and help our country co-exist in peace through the handshake."
"We must all be bright and see where our country is heading politically. I will not be the first civil servant to lead our community away from the government since our first leaders did not do the same,” Matiang’i said during a funeral in Nyamira last week.
Borabu MP Ben Momanyi who was elected on a Wiper ticket is also indicating to join Azimio.
The MP is running for the gubernatorial seat in Nyamira. He is the second governor contestant eyeing the position through Azimio.
Unlike 2017 elections where the ruling party Jubilee dominated in Nyamira county, this year will be different.
Majority of the contestants in various positions have aligned themselves with Azimio most probably for political survival.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
