A battery of political poll losers drawn from the larger Luo Nyanza who lost during last year’s general elections were today hosted by president William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, where they pledged to decamp to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ostensibly to gain a new political lifeline.
This is the second time the president has raided the opposition leader Raila Odinga political backyard seeking to solidify his political backing days after he met nine elected Luo Members of Parliament (MPs).
All the ten State House guests present during today’s delegation either vied and lost on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket or affiliate parties of the Azimio One Kenya Coalition while others like former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero ran for Homa Bay gubernatorial seat on an Independent Candidate ticket.
Kidero lost to ODM’s Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga and also suffered double tragedy after the High Court dismissed a petition challenging Wanga’s election besides slapping him with a legal fee of Sh3million.
Also present were former Kisumu governors Jack Ranguma and his former Migori counterpart Okoth Obado.
Others are former MPs in attendance were 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 were accompanied by ICT cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Last month, the president met nine ODM Luo leaders.
They include Tom Ojienda (Kisumu), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu Town East) and Caroli Omondi (Suba South).
Others included Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Phelix Odiwour AKA Jalango (Langata) and Mark Nyamita (Uriri).
This comes in the wake of ongoing push for anti-government protests by the Azimio brigade led by Raila.
Yesterday, Raila accompanied by other leaders among them Martha Karua (Narc Kenya) and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Party pitched camp in Mombasa after in push for countrywide demonstrations.
They are expected to hold a similar rally in Nairobi on March 20, 2023.
“Take note. On the 20th of March 2023, we have a date with destiny in Nairobi. On that day, our supporters throughout the country will stage a massive procession in Nairobi for a legitimate and inclusive government.” Raila said in a recent media briefing.
