One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principal Musalia Mudavadi’s bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta appears to be weakening after dozens of ANC party officials joined Raila Odinga ahead of the 2022 elections.
On Wednesday, November 10, the ANC officials from Mt Kenya East vowed to hit the road running to campaign for ODM leader Raila Odinga’s State House bid.
The officials termed the former Prime Minister as a leader keen on addressing the needs of the people.
The more than 30 ANC party officials were led by Jacob Nairoti, who until then was the regional coordinator for the ANC party in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
Other ANC defectors include former Member of Parliament for Ntonyiri presently Igembe North, Ntoithia M’Mthiaru, Lucy Mukaria, a member of the Meru County Assembly, and former Permanent Secretary Mukiri Kirinya among others.
Their shifting allegiance to the opposition party happens barely days after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s handshake partner pitched a tent in Meru County.
While welcoming them to ODM, Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo assured them that the interests of the people of Mt Kenya and specifically Meru would be guaranteed under the leadership of Raila Odinga.
“It is a party that cares for the interest and development of Kenyans, so you’re in the right place,” she said.
Their defection comes at a time when the OKA ticket contender has been advised to fold his political party and form a single party for the Luyha community.
Yesterday, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya urged ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula to dissolve their parties to form a regional political party.
The ODM deputy party leader said that he has been persuading the OKA principals to fold their parties in search of the elusive Luhya unity.
