Kenya Kwanza Picks UDM In Statement Azimio Raid
Among the new entries to the winning coalition including its party leader, Ali Roba, who is the Mandera Senator-elect.
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President-elect William Ruto has poached the United Democratic Movement (UDM) into his Kenya Kwanza coalition in what is termed as a big blow to Azimio la Umoja.
Among the new entries to the winning coalition including its party leader, Ali Roba, who is the Mandera Senator-elect.
Ruto met the UDM members on Thursday, August 18 at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi and lauded them for making the new move.
United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership abandons Azimio La Umoja and joins Kenya Kwanza. /WILLIAM RUTO
"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.
"Others 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)," Ruto shared on social media.
Roba was one of the Chief campaigners of the Azimio team in the North Eastern region.
He won the Mandera County senatorial seat on the party ticket while Abass Sheikh Mohammed secured the seat in Wajir County under the same party.
The party has 7 Members of Parliament (MPs), two senators, two governors and 35 Members of the County Assembly (MCA)s.
The move now risks putting the Azimio coalition in danger of a colossal embarrassment should Raila successfully challenge Ruto's election victory at the Supreme Court and get a repeat election.
Raila however remains committed to pursuing legal means to nullify the election after he was beaten by Ruto in the August 9 elections, having taken an early lead in provisional results.
"We held candid discussions on developments around our general election and bilateral relations with the Congressional delegation of the US Senate and House of Representatives.
"We reiterated our commitment to pursuing legal means to resolve issues around the election results," Raila said after meeting the US delegates who also met President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, President-elect William Ruto and Raila Odinga meeting the US congressional delegation. /TWITTER
