Over 40 MCAs from Meru, Tharaka Nithi defect to Ruto's UDA

Over 40 Members of County Assembly from Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties on Monday defected to Deputy President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance party.

Announcing their arrival, DP Ruto welcomed them to 'the winning side'.

"More than 40 MCAs from Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties have today decamped from Jubilee to join UDA. Welcome to the side of the people and the growth of the economy from the bottom going up," the second in command tweeted.

Embu Senator Peter Njeru has also joined the Ruto led party.

The MCAs defection comes barely three days after 30 Members of the County Assembly from Kiambu ditched President Uhuru Kenyatta's party for UDA.

The MCAs led by Speaker Stephen Ndichu were received to the party at Ruto's Karen residence on Saturday.

Ruto said the MCAs believe there should be a shift to building the country's economy, hence the bottom-up approach.

"The Kenya Kwanza team is growing bigger each day. 30 elected MCAs from Kiambu County led by County Assembly Speaker Hon Stephen Ndichu have quit Jubilee and joined UDA," the DP said.

"They believe that there should be a new paradigm shift to build our economy from the bottom. Karibuni Hustler Nation!"