United Democratic Alliance (UDA) president elect William Ruto has reaped big after United Democratic Movement (UDM) party decamped from Raila’s Azimio – One Kenya coalition to join Kenya Kwanza Alliance that is led by DP Ruto.
The UDM leadership led by Mandera senator – elect Ali Roba, deputy party leader and Marsabit governor elect Mohamud Ali and Mandera governor elect Mohamed Adan Khalif shifted from Azimio – One Kenya coalition wing to chart new political chapter in Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
‘We salute the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership for abandoning Azimio La Umoja and joining Kenya Kwanza. UDM Party Leader and Mandera Senator-Elect Ali Roba, Deputy Party Leader and Marsabit Governor-Elect Mohamud Ali and Mandera Governor-Elect Mohamed Adan Khalif were present at the Karen Residence, Nairobi County” said Ruto.
Azimio leaders join Kenya Kwanza
Others leaders who jumped Azimio ship to Kenya Kwanza include; 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).
William Ruto receiving UDM party leadership to Kenya Kwanza
William Ruto was declared president elect by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati after garnering 7,146,141 against the Azimio candidate Raila Odinga who wielded 6,942,930.
However, Raila rejected the results terming them null and void and accusing the electoral commission chair Mr Chebukati for allegedly colluding with Ruto to rig election in his (Ruto) favour.
The four IEBC commissioners on the other hand disowned Chebukati’s announced presidential results, citing opaque natire of the election processes.
Speaking at a surprise press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, the commissioners said “We have conducted the 2022 general election and have ensured we have improved the standards and consistently communicated what is happening, have partnered with all stakeholders and say for a fact as a commission we have done a good job. But some things need to be put out there.
“As you can see we are here (at Serena Hotel) and not at Bomas (national tallying centre) because of the opaque nature of how this phase has been handled. We, therefore, cannot take ownership of the result that will be announced.”
This comes barely a day after 10 out of 12 independent elected legislators in the just concluded general election decamped to Ruto’s UDA. Ruto’s UDA party will have 6 slots for nominated MPs, ODM – 4 while Jubilee and Wiper 1 each.
