William Ruto suffered a serious setback when more than 150 parliamentarians and local leaders in his home district shifted from his Kenya Kwanza Alliance to Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance.

On Tuesday, in a startling turn of events, MPs from Dr. Ruto’s home county of Uasin Gishu defected from Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party to the Azimio la Umoja coalition, claiming that the former vice president had never sought their input before siding with the DP in Kenya Kwanza.

Another element from nearby Nandi County defected from Ruto’s UDA, stating that the Azimio la Umoja coalition would better represent their interests.

At the Azimio la Umoja alliance in Eldoret, the roughly 150 leaders were welcomed by former cabinet minister Dr. Sally Kosgey and Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos. The two are Raila’s main foot troops in the pro-Ruto area.

After joining the Azimio la Umoja alliance and criticizing the Ruto-led government for lacking transparency, Kipruto Arap Kirwa, the vice chairman of the UDA party and a former cabinet minister, made the change just one month later.

This happens as Raila attempts to expand his regional dominance over the DP in the Rift Valley in order to boost his electoral advantage and start his presidential aspirations come the general election on August 9.

Ruto to lose lieutenants to Azimio

It is so unfortunate to see such things happening to DP Ruto at his own home ground at a moment when he is expected to be doing his homestretch in peace.

While he is busy trying to sell himself in the Mt. Kenya and other regions, things appear not to be going on well in his county where he has confidence.

However, we definitely assume this is just a small fraction since his people have always rallied behind him and not sent any signs of doing such a thing to him.