Deputy President William Ruto welcomed Garissa County Deputy Governor Ahmed Ali Mukhtar to the United Democratic Alliance party on Friday.
The DP said that Mukhtar was endorsed by some leaders from the country to vie for the governorship seat on the UDA ticket.
“Congratulations Ahmed Ali Mukhtar on your endorsement as the UDA Gubernatorial aspirant for Wajir County. You are in the winning team,” Ruto said.
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, MP Nasri Sahal Ibrahim, former Senator Abdirahman Ali Hassan and the chairman of the Ogaden Supreme Council Ahmed Hussein were among the leaders at the DP's official residence home in Karen, Nairobi.
Mukhtar is among the leaders from the area who had earlier sided with the Azimio la Umoja Movement flag bearer Raila Odinga during his recent visit to the county.
They had promised to deliver all the elective seats and presidential votes.
At one point, Mukhtar served as the governor when the embattled Garissa Governor Mohamed Abdi was impeached, only to be restored by the court after challenging his impeachment.
Recently, the Court of Appeal rejected a request by Mukhtar to remain in the office of the governor after the High Court quashed the impeachment of Abdi.
