On Monday, 28 leaders from Luo Nyanza met President William Ruto at State House to discuss their alleged defection to the UDA, according to insiders.
The leaders have been collaborating with IT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo for the past six months. The leaders included previous governors, MPs, board chairs, and candidates for the general election on August 9.
They assert that they disagree with the political philosophies of ODM leader Raila Odinga. At roughly 3 p.m., the leaders met with President Ruto, and on Tuesday at UDA’s Hustler Center headquarters, they are anticipated to declare their defection.
“ICT CS Eliud Owalo was responsible for organizing this group. On Tuesday, they will all go for UDA. At UDA HQ, they will pick up their certificates “a source informed the Star.
Former governors of Kenya, including Evans Kidero of Nairobi, Jack Ranguma of Kisumu, Okoth Obado of Migori, and Fred Outa of Kisumu, were present.
Others were former lawmakers Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Aloo Ogeka (Muhoroni), Daima Pollyins (Nyakach), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), and Rose Nyamunga (previously nominated).
Former Migori MP John Pesa, former Kisumu Town West representative Ken Nyagudi, and former EALA lawmaker Clarkson Karan were also present. Former Police spokesman Charles Owino was also there.
Others were ex-Kisumu Majority leader Sammy Ong’ou, ex-Alego Usonga MP Otieno Otieno Mak’Onyango, ex-Kasipul Kabondo MP Silvance Osele, and ex-Nairobi Deputy Speaker Ken Obuya.
Omondi Anyanga, the chairman of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Odoyo Owidi, the head of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency, and numerous more candidates for the August elections were also there.
The expected defections occur as Azimio leader Raila prepares his bases for a large-scale uprising on March 20. Last week on Friday, Raila was in the county of Migori before traveling to Narok on Saturday, where he promised to provide a list of businesses that should be boycotted.
As supporters of Azimio demonstrated against the high cost of living in numerous regions, the opposition demonstrations gradually gained momentum. On Thursday of last week, Raila announced the beginning of a massive protest against the Kenya Kwanza government, which he deemed to be ineffective.
The meeting on Monday might be part of President Ruto’s plan to win over some of Raila’s supporters in his own backyard and lessen the impact of the street protests.