Kidero Joins UDA After Meeting Ruto At State House

Kidero slammed the Azimio la Umoja coalition under its leader, Raila Odinga, for using the mass action to cause suffering amongst the people of Kenya.

Kidero Joins UDA After Meeting Ruto At State House
President William Ruto with Evans Kidero at State House on March 13, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero alongside his counterparts Okoth Obado (Migori) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party led by President William Ruto on Tuesday, March 14.

The trio led at least 30 Luo Nyanza leaders in joining the party and were welcomed by UDA Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala.

Speaking during a joint presser at the UDA Party headquarters, Kidero slammed the Azimio la Umoja coalition under its leader, Raila Odinga, for using the mass action to cause suffering amongst the people of Kenya.

Luo Nyanza leaders join the UDA party at its headquarters on Ngong Road on March 14, 2023. /FILE

He added that the ruling party was looking out for the best interests of all Kenyans and that he was joining the party as a result, accusing Azimio of focusing on the wrong thing.

“We have heard about the protests and they will cause the people to suffer. We are joining a party that cares about its people and not the party we have left that is interested in chaos,” Kidero stated.

Moreover, he stated that they would not take part in the ongoing Azimio protests adding that it segregated the Luo Nyanza people from the rest of the country.

Kidero further praised President Ruto for prioritizing the region on development matters even though the Luo Nyanza community did not vote for the President nor the Deputy President, evidencing the Head of State's commitment to building roads in popular towns of the region, including Kisumu City.

“In the three months, he (the President) has assured the Nyanza people that we must be part of Kenya. We have seen the President's commitment to building various roads in Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay and Migori," he added.

Kidero further expressed that Kenya ought to be one nation and every Kenyan deserved to enjoy the services being provided by the government.

“Lake Victoria is a big resource and one of the biggest investments the government is going to make is the production of fingerlings,” added the former governor. 

He further asserted that the group that was picking its certificates as UDA members are the real leaders of the Luo Nyanza and that those who are absent at the function are not Luo Nyanza leaders.

The President on Monday, March 13 met more than 30 leaders who declared that they would work with the Kenya Kwanza government to deliver development projects to the people of Nyanza, declaring that the time was ripe for Nyanza to embrace the government in power.

"At State House, in the company of Deputy President Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, met Nyanza leadership led by former Governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) and Okoth Obado (Migori) who have agreed to work with Kenya Kwanza," Ruto stated in part.

Also present were former MPs Rose Nyamunga (Kisumu), Fred Outa (Nyando), Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Martin Ogindo (Rangwe), John Pesa (Migori), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), former Police Spokesman Charles Owino, among others.

They said they would mobilise the region to embrace the government, with Kidero declaring that the people of Nyanza have resolved to work with the government and won't allow themselves to be isolated from the rest of Kenyans.

President William Ruto with DP Rigathi Gachagua and Luo Nyanza leaders at State House on March 13, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO