Ruto reaps from Wiper defections

 THAT all the three Ukambani governors don’t seem to read from the same political script as the regional kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka has considerably dented the party’s strength in the vote-rich Lower Eastern region.

Another major loss is the departure of key allies in the Coast region. It has appeared to reduce the umbrella party from the national stage.

Recently, Makueni's Prof Kivutha Kibwana, the only Wiper governor in Ukambani re-joined his Muungano party. He is now vying for 2022 presidential elections.

UDA party which is associated with Deputy President Dr William Ruto reaped from admitting former Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama and former Nairobi deputy governor Jonathan Mueke. Muthama is the chairman of UDA.

Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo converted to UDA despite serving as Wiper MP in the National Assembly.

Former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar too joined UDA from WDM, swelling its ranks in the Coast given the pivotal role he played in mobilizing the region in the now defunct Nasa coalition.

Taita Taveta governor Granton Samboja now sings ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio tunes. Samboja was elected on Wiper ticket and says his party boss can wait for at least up to 2027. For now, he campaigns for Odinga.

Kalonzo was Odinga’s running mate in unsuccessful presidential runs of 2013 and 2017. He is now part of OKA coalition with ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi, Kanu’s Gideon Moi and Kakamega senator Moses Wetang’ula. They have not settled on a presidential flagbearer yet.

In August this year, 15 Kitui MCAs visited DP William Ruto in his official Karen residence in Nairobi. They included MCA Alex Wambua who represents Kyome-Thaana ward and was elected on Wiper party ticket. The rest of entourage was from Narc Party (4), Jubilee Party (3), Muungano (2), PKK (1) and Independents (4).

Two months later, five Machakos County Assembly Wiper MCAs toured DP’s Nairobi offices, something that did not go down well with their boss Florence Mwangangi. Speaker Mwangangi termed the tour as gross misconduct and vowed to take action against the errant MCAs.  They were Tariq Mulatya (Masinga Central), Cosmus Ngula (Matungulu East), Cosmus Kieti (Lower Kaewa), Joseph Wambua( Mbiuni) and Ms Agatha Mutunga, a nominated MCA.

STORY By MUSYOKA NGUI, EDITED By BONIFACE MWANIKI