The veteran and one of the longest-serving politicians in the country joined the Kenya Kwanza team with 13 MCAs elected to his Devolution Empowerment Party ('Mbus').
The move comes barely two weeks after Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza teamed up with Ruto.
Mwangaza won the seat on an independent ticket beating UDA's Mithika Linturi and Murungi.
She won the election garnering 209,148 votes against her closest challenger, Linturi who got 183,859 votes while Murungi garnered 110,814 votes.
Kiraitu is a long-time ally of the Azimio leader.
He began his political career when he joined other multi-democracy champions like Raila, Paul Mwite, Gitobu Imanyara and Kenneth Matiba among others during the regime of former President Daniel Arap Moi.
Ruto announced Kiraitu’s move on Twitter on Friday afternoon after holding a meeting with the leadership of DEP and the 13 MCAs at his Karen residence in Nairobi.
“We welcome the Devolution Empowerment Party to Kenya Kwanza. Their resolve to work with us is an indication that leaders agree that the interests of Kenyans override our personal or party interests,” he said.
Present at the meeting included Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire and former Meru senator Linturi.
Others were Alexander Mundigi (Senator, Embu) and MPs John Paul (Igembe South), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), John Mutunga (Tigania West), Moses Kirima (Central Imenti), John Mukunji (Manyatta), Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North) and Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South).
Jayne Kihara (Naivasha Town), Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North) and Justus Mugo (Deputy Governor, Embu) also attended.
In his campaigns in Meru, Ruto reached out to Kiraitu urging him to ditch Raila and join him but the former Meru governor stayed put.
Kiraitu joined the Raila-led Azimio la Umoja on March 8, 2022.
While announcing his support, Kiraitu exuded confidence in the ODM leader's win in the election.
He made the announcement during the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) which had been attended by Raila.
His move to Azimio came days after Linturi declared interest to unseat him to become the third county boss.
Kiraitu now joins other leaders who have since ditched Raila for Ruto.
On August 18, Ruto got a shot in the arm after United Democratic Movement (UDM) joined the alliance.
Led by leader and Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba, the group met Ruto at his official residence before making the announcement.
Also present were Marsabit Governor Mohamed Ali and his Mandera counterpart Mohamed Adan.
Others were Deputy Governor for Mandera Ali Maalim, Wajir Senator-elect Abbas Sheikh, MPs Umulkheir Kassim (Mandera), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North), Kullow Hassan (Banisa), Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), Mangale Munga Chiforomodo (Lunga Lunga), AbdulEnrahim Haro (Mandera South) and Adan Haji (Mandera West).
Kenya Kwanza also received a boost after 10 out of 12 independent candidates joined the alliance.
The legislators joined Ruto during a Kenya Kwanza inaugural meeting of elected leaders at the President-elect’s residence.
Following the realignments, Azimio presidential secretariat accused Kenya Kwanza of 'poaching' its MPs.
Secretariat spokesperson Makau Mutua accused the UDA leader of 'buying' its MPs to create a vain impression that he is more powerful.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
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