Raila Odinga led Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition has suffered a major blow after 12 United Democratic Movement (UDM) elected leaders defected to President-elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance.
The leaders met with Ruto on Thursday, August 18, and pledged to give him support as he prepares to form the next government.
“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,” Ruto said
Others in the meeting were 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).
Before the defections, Azimio had 162 members in both Houses of parliament against Kenya Kwanza’s 159.
On Wednesday Ruto received 10 out of 12 independent legislators who joined his coalition
The defections will greatly deem Azimio’s dream of controlling parliament and winning the National Assembly’s speaker position
With the defections, Ruto now has full control of both the National Assembly and the Senate.
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