Home » ‘Form ni Ruto’: Elected leaders troop to join president-elect William Ruto

‘Form ni Ruto’: Elected leaders troop to join president-elect William Ruto

by Enock Ndayala

Both Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition and the Kenya Kwanza Alliance have staked superiority in the National Assembly.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party is led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while Kenya Kwanza Alliance is led by President-elect William Ruto of UDA.

While Raila Odinga could be controlling the majority on paper under a pre-election agreement deposited at the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, the shifting allegiances could dramatically tilt the fortunes in favor of William Ruto.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party is led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while Kenya Kwanza Alliance is led by President-elect William Ruto of UDA.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party is led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while Kenya Kwanza Alliance is led by President-elect William Ruto of UDA. Photo: William Ruto/Twitter

Kenya Kwanza has somewhat fewer MPs compared to Azimio so both sides are wooing independents as they seek to control the leadership of the bicameral House.

On Thursday, August 18, President-elect William Ruto’s camp was handed a huge boost after United Democratic Movement (UDM) party joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Led by party leader and Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba, the group met Ruto at Deputy President’s official residence in Karen, Nairobi.

Deputy Governor-Elect 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).

“The least expected in partnership is respect. We have been struggling to fit within Azimio but we became the unwanted guests. It is not about positions but the feeling of belonging somewhere where you feel recognized, respected, and consulted,” Ali Roba said.

Njoroge Kururia of Gatundu North, Ekesa Mulanya of Nambale, and Nebart Muriuki of Mbere South joined Kenya Kwanza in a move that was seen as the coalition’s plan to consolidate more numbers in the National Assembly.

The president-elect also met the Mbeere South MP-elect, Nebart Muriuki, who confirmed via social media that he had joined Kenya Kwanza.

Others who joined the camp include Meru Governor-elect Kawira Mwangaza pledged to work with the coalition.

“Thank you Meru County Governor-elect Kawira Mwangaza for choosing to work with Kenya Kwanza to drive Meru and Kenya forward, Karen, Nairobi County,” Ruto said in a statement on Twitter.

On Friday, August 19, city lawyer David Kipkorir pleaded with retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga to rein in elected allies decamping to William Ruto’s camp.

“Cognizant Supreme Court may void the presidential results, UDA leadership is in a blitzkrieg to change the political landscape by buying all Independent MPs and Azimio fringe parties,” Kipkorir said.

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