Governor Mwangaza officially joins Ruto's UDA

Meru governor has officially joined President William Ruto's UDA party.

Announcing at UDA headquarters in Nairobi, Mwangaza said she will defend her governor seat on the UDA ticket in 2027.

Mwangaza noted that she was elected Meru woman rep in 2017 as an independent candidate and governor in 2022 also as an independent candidate.

"People have been asking me for direction come 2027. I am proud to now show Meru people the way, the party is UDA," she said.

"I will throw a big party in Meru when I return."

Receiving the Meru governor was UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala among other party officials.

Mwangaza added that UDA is accommodating to women and urged others to consider joining it.

She further appealed to MCAs from Meru to work with her to uplift the lives of residents.

"As a mother, I plead with MCAs, let's work together. To all MPs, I know most of you are in UDA, let us work together," she added.

Mwangaza joined UDA just days after Silas Jakakimba, a former aide to Raila Odinga, on Tuesday formally switched allegiance from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to the ruling party.

Having served alongside Odinga for nearly 16 years, Jakakimba pledged his support to President William Ruto.

Before his defection, Jakakimba had also resigned as the legal adviser to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga in July 2023, just nine months into the position.

Jakakimba is eyeing for the Suba North parliamentary seat in the 2027 elections.

UDA has since announced an elaborate schedule of the four-phased grassroots elections running from April to August 2024.

In a meeting chaired by the Party leader President William Ruto for the National Steering Committee, the team also nominated the National Elections Board and the Disputes Resolutions Committee.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairperson Anthony Mwaura has been appointed the chairperson of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Elections Board.

Mwaura will be deputised by Veronica Kiberenge, who will serve as the vice chairpersonOther members of the elections board include Lydia Munika, Jimmy Kaingi, Mary Mutinga, Halake Dida and Linda Kiome.

Rebecca Tonke has been appointed as the chairperson of the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC).