President William Ruto has harvested heavily from Opposition chief Raila Odinga’s political bastions, counting numerous defections to his UDA party.
On Tuesday, big names decamped from Raila’s ODM and Azimio coalition, undermining the opposition that has mounted protests against the President.
Those who shifted have been coalescing around ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo for the past six months.
Owalo has been hosting delegations of luo leaders in his Home
Former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) and Okoth Obado (Migori) led about 28 politicians in defecting to UDA.
Other big names that decamped from Raila include former Kisumu Senator Ferd Outa and his nominated counterpart Rose Nyamunga.
Former MPs who defected were Omondi Ayanga, Nicholas Gumbo, John Pesa, Martin Ogindo and Silvance Osele.
“We are happy to be here and we will do the best we can with the leadership of the UDA party,” Kidero said on behalf of the leaders.
“We are joining a party that cares about its people, not a party like the one we’ve left that is only interested in chaos, only interested in doing things for themselves but not for the people who elected them,” he said.
He said as Nyanza leaders, they will refuse to participate in Azimio protests saying previous demonstrations have left the Luo people at a disadvantage in terms of development.
“We’re saying no, we must be part of Kenya and we’re not going to participate in backward activities that do not improve our lives and do not bring any value to our people’s lives," he said.
Some of the defectors have been close to Raila with some regarded as his top financiers and advisers.
Other notable figures present included former police spokesman Charles Owino, former Migori MP John Pesa, his Kisumu Town West counterpart Ken Nyagudi and former EALA legislator Clarkson Karan.
Others were former Nairobi deputy speaker Ken Obuya, former Kisumu majority leader Sammy Ong'ou, former Kasipul Kabondo MP Silvance Osele and former Awendo MP Jack Opiyo.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority chairman Omondi Anyanga, Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency chairman Odoyo Owidi, and a host of aspirants in the August polls joined them.
The defections came hours after the lot met President Ruto at State House on Monday over what insiders said centred on their defection to UDA.
In yet another harvest, six political parties yesterday folded to join UDA.
They include Trade CS Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi and former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto’s Chama Cha Mashinani.
Others are former Embu Governor Martin Wambora’s Umoja na Maendeleo, National Agenda Party of Kenya (Alfayo Agufana), the Farmers Party and Economic Freedom Party.
“As the secretary general of theruling party, I am proud to see our house expand for the better,’ UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala said.
“From today, the parties present here are no longer partners but part of the UDA family,” he added.
The former senator encouraged the party members to take an active role in building UDA.
They will also participate in all UDA activities including the ongoing membership registration drive and the upcoming party grassroots elections in August.
"My brothers, you will not regret this bold decision. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Watch this space," he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
