•In 2017, Nzai was the running mate for Third Way Alliance presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot.
•Kadu Asili deputy party leader Daniel Mangi said he was shocked by the change of events.
Image: DPPS
Kadu Asili party leader Emmanuel Nzai has decamped to UDA.
He will deputise Aisha Jumwa in her gubernatorial bid.
Nzai, who is the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani chief executive officer, had declared to vie for Kilifi governor on a Kadu Asili ticket but shelved his bid.
“After a thorough consultation, meeting stakeholders and my supporters, I have decided to join UDA. I mean well for the county and urge each one of you to join hands as we serve Kilifi people,” he said on Monday.
When he first declared his interest in the political seat, Nzai had said he would seek the mandate on a Pamoja African Alliance ticket but changed tune after meeting the Chonyi council of elders who instructed him to run on Kadu Asili.
In 2017, Nzai was the running mate for Third Way Alliance presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot.
Kadu Asili deputy party leader Daniel Mangi said he was shocked by the change of events.
Mangi said Nzai is deemed to have lost the party leader position after the defection.
“We feel betrayed but it is good he has demonstrated what kind of a leader he is. We are going to summon him to hear him out,” Mangi said.
However, in a telephone interview, Nzai said he had not ditched the party but had formed a partnership with Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza.
“You know Kadu Asili is in the Ukombozi wa Majimbo coalition. to expand our network I entered into the arrangement and I will deputise Jumwa,” he said.
Ukombozi wa Majimbo is a coalition of parties with roots from the Coast region.
Nzai was one of the front runners in the race to succeed Amason Kingi.
Before joining Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, Nzai served in the Vision 2030 delivery secretariat as the CEO.
Nzai who comes from the Chonyi subtribe of the Mijikenda had vowed to end the dominance of the Giriama subtribe in Kilifi politics.
Giriama forms the majority tribe in Kilifi followed by the Chonyi.
Chonyi council of elders chairman Patrick Mwalimu Rasi (Also chair of the Mijikenda) has in the last several months been consulting on who will take over from Kingi.
The council is seeking to draw consensus for a governor, deputy governor, senator, woman representative and speaker from the Giriama, Rabai, Kauma, Jibana, Kambe, and Ribe elders.
A major contention is the popular sentiments that Governor Kingi of the Giriama community (North) have held the governorship for 10 years with Rabai deputizing (Gideon Saburi in 2017-2022 and Kenneth Kamto – 2013–2017) and Kahindi a Southern Giriama (Kaloleni) as speaker.
Nzai holds an MBA, In Information Technology and Public Administration from Shenandoah University in Virginia, USA.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris