Vihiga senator aspirant Ndeda quits ANC

Vihiga senatorial aspirant Babira Ndeda has quit ANC and joined ex-governor Moses Akaranga’s  Progressive Party of Kenya (PPK).

Speaking to Star via the phone on Saturday, Ndeda said he joined PPK because ANC is showing favour to other candidates ahead of party nominations.

Ndeda's exit comes a few days after the exit of Jackson Swadi, who joined  UDA to contest for senatorial seat, saying ANC lacked fair play ground for nominations.

"I have joined PPK and that is the party that am going to use to contest for the senatorial seat of Vihiga County," Ndeda said. 

The aspirant has rebranded his office and the campaign vehicle with PPK colours.

"I have already rebranded everything to PPK colors and logos," he told the star.

The two said some elected leaders under ANC were making bedroom decisions on who to be given the ticket.

"We were not against the party nominations as per the party laws," Swadi said.

"But you can't be subjecting us on the nomination with a fixed mind who is going to take the certificate," he added.

His sentiments were echoed by Ndeda.

MCAs who have ditched the ANC party include Masini Ombajo, Victor Ijaika, Elisha Amara, Evance Chunguli and Violet Bagada.

However, the sentiments were dismissed by Mudavadi's aide Kabatesi Kibisu saying the two were not ready for party nominations.

Joseph Simekha, who is also eyeing to contest for the senatorial seat under ANC, is also seeking an alternative party after the entry of Kennedy Butiko, who was in UDA.

"Yes it's true I have joined the ANC party and I will be vying for the Senate seat in the forthcoming general election," Butiko told the Star.

Butiko's entry on the senatorial race seems to complicate Godfrey Osotsi matrix under Azimio la umoja.

"The plot by ANC to bring Butiko to senatorial race is to decide my bloc,” Osotsi said.

Already, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has planned to meet party aspirants in Nairobi on Monday even as some grassroots leaders claim the outfit is dying.

“We also will use the session to bond and build a team for electioneering and aspirants constitute an important part to the strategy,” Amukowa Anangwe said in a past interview.

The aspirants exit comes as the party lost Vihiga senator George Khaniri to UDP.

Khaniri left the party saying he is not ready to work with DP Ruto under Kenya Kwanza.

Previously, he said he can only join the alliance if ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi is the alliance flag bearer.