An Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician has decamped to the ruling party the United Democratic Alliance.
In a statement by the UDA party on its social media handles on October 29, it indicated that the Elgeyo Marakwet ODM chair Micah Kigen defected into UDA.UDA Party welcomed Elgeyo Marakwet County ODM Chairman Micah Kigen to its ranks after he joined the party from the opposition.
“I welcome you to UDA my brother Micah Kigen. I want to state that it is President William Ruto’s desire that we listen to Kenyans, pay attention to Kenyans’ issues of concern and address those issues Kenyans are raising,” said acting UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar.
Nyakundi urged Kigen and the leaders who flanked him to be “good ambassadors of the UDA party and President William Ruto’ back at home.
Moreover, until he defected to UDA, Kigen was a trusted soldier of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and had unsuccessfully vied for the Keiyo South Parliamentary seat on the Orange Party ticket.
Furthermore, Kigen was flanked by Senator William Kisang, and Elgeyo Marakwet Women Representative Carolyn Ng’elechei with several sitting and former members of the County Assembly (MCA).
In addition, he was received by Secretary General Hassan Omar and National Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi at UDA headquarters, Hustler Plaza.
Also Read: Why Ruto is Best Person to be President – ODM Senator
ODM Leaders Decamping to UDA
The act of ODM leaders decamping to UDA is not a new phenomenon in Kenya. Recently, on September 10, the UDA party shared on its socials about Orange Democratic Movement leaders from Marsabit decamping into UDA.
The leaders, drawn mainly from the minority Burji community announced their political decision after holding consultative talks with UDA Party Secretary General Hassan Omar at the UDA headquarters.
Moreover, they vowed to support President William Ruto’s development agenda and remain loyal to UDA’s philosophy and leadership.
“The party manifesto has room for such minority groups and has created a department to look at the interests of the demographic across the country,” Sen. General stated.
He further noted, “The UDA party and the Government are accelerating plans to boost the potential of far-flung counties, which includes Marsabit, especially in the areas of agriculture, trade and economic development, as per its manifesto.”
Also Read: ODM MP Hints at When Wetang’ula will Leave Speaker Position
Constant Defections to UDA
President William Ruto has constantly harvested from the opposition party following the numerous defections to his party since last year.
Big names from the opposition party hailing from the Nyanza region the party’s stronghold decamped on March 2023. This act highlighted that they undermined the opposition that mounted protests during the period.
The then defection was led by Former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) and Okoth Obado (Migori) and saw about 28 politicians defecting to UDA.
Other opposition politicians who decamped from the party included the former Kisumu Senator Ferd Outa and his nominated counterpart Rose Nyamunga.
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