NAIROBI, Kenya March 13 – President William Ruto has yet again raided Raila Odinga’s political bastion where he netted political leaders considered influential in the region, and who were the Opposition leader’s die-hards.
The ten leaders pledged loyalty to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party during a meeting at State House with the Head of State who is keen to form a powerful political machine.
Those who attended the meeting and agreed to join UDA include former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero who vied in the Homa Bay gubernatorial contest but lost to Gladys Wanga of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Former Governors Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) and Okoth Obado (Migori) were also in the meeting where they pledged to support Ruto and join his UDA party.
Others are former MPs Rose Nyamunga (Kisumu), Fred Outa (Nyando), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), John Pesa (Migori), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), former Police Spokesman Charles Owino among others.
Monday’s development is a big blow to Odinga and his Azimio alliance that lauched countrywide mass action last week, to protest the high cost of living and a victory he claimed was snatched from him during the August 2022 election.
Odinga said the mass action which is yet to gather steam will culminate to a huge demonstration on March 20 when he will lead a protest march to State House.
On Sunday, Deputy President revealed that several leaders had been reaching out to Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition, some of who are ready to ditch their parties.
“We have been talking to many people. Some we have been talking to them during the day and others during the night depending on how you see things,” said Gachagua during a televised interview.
Just last month, nine political leaders from ODM ditched Odinga for Ruto.
The leaders who held a meeting with President William Ruto at State House Nairobi, abandoned Odinga for what they termed as his ‘endless politics’.
They include Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South).
Others included Elisha Odhiambo (Gem),Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Phelix Odiwour AKA Jalango (Langata) and Mark Nyamita (Uriri).
