Mass exodus from Azimio coalition as William Ruto embarks on ‘poaching’ mission
Mass exodus from Azimio la Umoja coalition with its members joining President-Elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Raila’s led coalition Azimio has suffered a major blow in its numbers in parliament after some of its members joined Ruto’s lead coalition, Kenya Kwanza.
The latest to shift allegiance is the Azimio principal Ali Roba, who is the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party leader.
Roba on Thursday, August 18, led a delegation of UDM politicians who were elected under his party to join the Kenya Kwanza coalition under president-elect, William Ruto.
Ruto welcomed the outgoing Mandera governor and his contingent to Kenya Kwanza and thanked him for abandoning Azimio.
“We salute the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership for abandoning Azimio La Umoja and joining Kenya Kwanza,” the president-elect stated.
UDM party clinched a total of 45 seats in the just-concluded General election; including 7 MPs, two senators, two governors, and 35 MCAs who have now joined Kenya Kwanza.
GDDP’S Caleb Mule of Machakos town and Mwengi Mutuse of Kibwezi West- who was allied to Azimio during campaigns despite being in Maendeleo Chap Chap have also joined Ruto.
This comes after the 10 independent candidates also joined Ruto’s camp on Wednesday, August 17.
The new mass exodus from Azimio could hand the Kenya Kwanza coalition the much-needed numbers in the National Assembly to push its legislative agenda.
Initially, Ruto’s camp had 159 against Azimio’s 162 members.
The numbers each coalition has will determine how the ruling government will transact and control the 13th Parliament.
Ruto’s poaching strategy comes after he promised to ensure the opposition plays its role to checkmate his government.
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