Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga continues to lose his foot soldiers day by day.
The opposition leader who was seeking the country’s top seat for a record fifth time had the support of more than 26 political parties.
However, according to the official presidential results announced by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Raila narrowly lost the seat to President William Ruto.
Following the loss, a section of his close allies have been shifting their allegiance and have pledged to fully work and support the government of the day much to the disappointment of Raila who still insist that Ruto is not the legitimate President.
Kivumbi.co.ke has compiled a list of seven prominent leaders who have dumped Raila following his August 2022 presidential loss to President William Ruto.
- Francis Atwoli
Central Organization for Trade Union (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli was so vocal in drumming up support for Raila Odinga during the 2022 presidential campaign.
Atwoli, fiercely decampaigned against President William Ruto and even warned his neighbors in Sugoi to cut trees because Ruto could hang himself once the former Prime Minister is declared President.
However, after Raila lost the presidency to William Ruto, the trade unionists went silent for some time and later resurfaced heaping praises on President William Ruto.
On Tuesday, February 14, Atwoli led a high-powered COTU delegation to State House Nairobi for a meeting with the head of state where he pledged to work with President Ruto.
“COTU remains ready to work with the administration of President William Ruto to promote unity and the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers,” Atwoli said.
- Sabina Chege
During the 2022 presidential campaigns, the then Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege publicly campaigned for the opposition leader Raila Odinga.
However, the Jubilee politician who was nominated to the National Assembly on an Azimio ticket recently announced that she had parted ways with Raila.
Sabina was quoted saying that he will not attend any of Raila Odinga’s anti-government protests and that he will work with the Kenya Kwanza government.
“I was deeply in Azimio (crowd laughs), don’t laugh… You will not see me in Maandamano because I am not that stupid,” she said.
- James Ongwae
Former Kisii governor James Ongwae and former Kisii Woamn Rep Janet Ongera resigned from Raila Odinga’s ODM party.
In a joint statement, the two said: “It has been an honor serving in ODM. We regret nothing, but we move to the next phase with a clear mind on how better as a country we can manage our political affairs before and after elections.”
The duo termed as “ill” the manner in which the ODM party treated them and their supporters through what they termed as “political patronage by individuals who never had the interests of our community at heart.”
- Kanini Kega
During the August 2022 presidential campaign, former Kieni MP Kanini Kega strongly campaigned against the yellow wave in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
The Jubilee Secretary General appears to be reading from a different script from his party leader Raila Odinga.
For instance, while Raila maintains that he will not recognize William Ruto as the legitimate President, Kega categorically states that the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya is none other than Ruto.
“By the mere fact that we are here, it shows that we recognize that the fifth president of the Republic of Kenya is none other than William Samoei Ruto,” Kega said.
- Kiraitu Murungi
Former Meru governor Kiraitu Murungi’s Devolution Empowerment Party pledged its support for opposition leader Raila Odinga.
However, Murungi who unsuccessfully defended his gubernatorial seat was among the first politicians to cut ties with Raila Odinga.
“Received the leadership of DEP at the Karen Office, Nairobi, led by former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi. We welcome the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) to Kenya Kwanza. Their resolve to work with us is an indication that leaders agree that the interests of Kenyans override our personal or party interests,” Ruto said.
