Kenya Insights

Tag: UDA

  • Former Raila’s Aide Silas Jakakimba Decamps To Ruto’s UDA Party

    Former Raila’s Aide Silas Jakakimba Decamps To Ruto’s UDA Party

    In a major political move, Silas Jakakimba, a former aide to former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Monday made his move to the to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party official.

    Jakakimba who was flanked by other ODM defectors including former former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, ex-MP Elizabeth Ongoro among others, was welcomed to the party by Cleophas Malala, the Secretary General of UDA.

    “I am confident that Mr. Jakakimba’s expertise will be instrumental in advancing our Party’s agenda and strengthening our presence in the region. We look forward to working closely with him to serve the interests of all Kenyans.” Malala said in his welcoming remarks.

    Jakakimba alongside other Nyanza leaders who’ve defected to UDA.

    Silas Jakakimba: Why I dumped Raila

    In making the decision, Jakakimba reiterated his unwavering support and loyalty to President William Ruto while vowing to join forces with like minded leaders in popularizing the UDA party in Nyanza where he noted the movement is already gaining momentum.

    “Joining UDA affirms the party’s growing popularity in Nyanza and across the country. I intend to join the many Nyanza people who are now increasingly ready to mobilize, popularize and even contest for elections on the UDA platform.” He said in a statement.

    He added that his decision was informed by digging through the party’s fundamentals that he found aligning with his principles. “Joining UDA confirms my belief that the party is a national party with a national constituency and an even brighter future in the path of grounding and consolidating democratic gains in our years-old quest for good governance in the Joint Republic. Needless to say, the UDA is the largest party by count in the county assemblies nationally, in the Senate, in the National Assembly and lastly – the party that delivered the presidency.”

    Jakakimba was also keen to clear the air on his relationship with his former boss Raila saying that his move is further strengthened by recent announcement of the former PM to seek African Union Commission (AUC) chairman.

    He notes that Raila’s exit from the helms of local politics leaves a void that must then be filled with new leadership. He also acknowledged his former boss’s immense contribution to the country and his new found relationship with political rival Ruto, “I have severally, in the past year, expressed my strong belief that Baba needs to step back from the rigors of local politics and focus on a continental assignment. I am happy that President Ruto has deemed it fit and in the broader geopolitical interests of the Nation premised on a need to posture Africa’s potential to the rest of the world – to front the Former PM as a candidate for AUC Chairmanship. Jakom has done his bit locally, has had his chances and even within ODM, leave alone Azimio, the discussion now is: ‘Who next?’” He pauses.

    “The reality of our country is that we are now a strong and stable democracy which does not need any one individual to function. We have one of the most liberal and progressive Constitutions in the world, which primes a strong focus on good and accountable governance. Whereas there’s always room for improving it, the institutions created by this Constitution are strong enough to hold the state itself accountable to the people of Kenya.” He continued.

    UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala formerly welcomes Silas Jakakimba to the party.

    In decamping, Jakakimba was keen to elaborate his move not to be seen as a bitter divorce from his former employer but a democratic step in the right direction, “Like many people who have worked for HE Odinga for many years – in my case for more than 19years, there seems to be a belief that loyalty to the centre must remain a lifetime role. It is necessary that moving forward, all democrats agree that it is more important and urgent, to remain eternally loyal to democratic ideals and attendant principles of a strong and accountable governance. That is the space where I am today, politically. And, God plus time, are on our side.” He said.

    He added that his support for Ruto also stems from his successful efforts in resuscitating the country’s economy that was on its death bed when the Kenyatta’s regime left. “Important to note is that President Ruto has within a very short time, stabilized the state and government, succeeding in managing a proper transition. I know this is now old news, but I wish to again state that President Ruto was given the people’s mandate to manage our country’s internal and external affairs. Immediately he was declared, I chose to support him because we strengthen our democracy when we respect the will of the people. In him, is a very deliberate and intentional leader who would stop at nothing in the journey to take Kenya to next level.”

    He concluded his statement by assuring the party’s leadership of assured ground support, “Where I come from, the great Kavirondo Belt of Nyanza region, the delivery of THE PLAN is massively on-going. And we can see it all across the country. Today, I join the UDA formation willingly, aware of the work ahead.”

    Jakakimba has made his intentions clear to vie for the Suba North parliamentary seat in the 2027 elections. The seat is currently held by ODM’s Millie  Odhiambo.

  • BOOST: UDA Chief Whip, Silvanus Osoro Endorses Omwanza Ombati For The LSK Male Representative at the JSC

    BOOST: UDA Chief Whip, Silvanus Osoro Endorses Omwanza Ombati For The LSK Male Representative at the JSC

    City lawyer Omwanza Ombati got a boost in his campaign for the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Male Representative at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following the endorsement by Kisii leaders during the Gusii Advocates Forum fete on Saturday. He received a key endorsement from the controversial Majority Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro who described the lawyer as the most competent and trustworthy to represent the LSK at JSC.

    Among the other Gussi leaders who endorsed Omwanza’s candidature include, Governor Nyaribo, Nyamira senator Okong’o Omogeni of Azimio, Charles Nyachae and Danstan Omari.

    Osiri’s endorsement come at a time when candidates have been engaged in smear campaigns and trading accusations over who’s allied with the executive, opposition and not. This is stemmed from the claims made publicly by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei who in January said he will push for a radical surgery at the helm of the Law Society of Kenya in the next polls.

    Senator Omogeni amongst the leaders who endorsed Omwanza.

    The vocal senator said President William Ruto’s allies will ensure that the next leadership of LSK will support the government’s agenda.

    ”The current law society of Kenya is made up of people who are working with those opposed to the government and that is why in the coming elections we have people who support the government’s agenda,” Cherargei said.

    Cherargei said in Iten that the Kenya Kwanza agenda was being frustrated by people who have connections within LSK.

    ”I am a member of the LSK and when we have elections soon we will install people who will support your(Ruto’s) agenda,” he said.

    Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala accused the opposition of using the LSK to fight President Ruto’s administration.

    In July last year, the National Assembly Chief Whip, revealed an elaborate scheme used by the ruling coalition, Kenya Kwanza, to defeat the opposition in the vote on the Finance Bill, 2023.

    Osoro addressing fellow advocates at the Gusii Advocates Forum meet-up in Nairobi where he endorsed Ombati.

    The South Mugirango MP revealed the dirty and unethical tricks they used to woo their Azimio counterparts, including arm-twisting the opposition through bribery, which resulted in the ruling party gaining a numerical advantage in Parliament to pass the government’s controversial Finance Bill.

    Mr Osoro said the government spent a lot of money (although he did not specify how much) to manipulate opposition MPs to stay away from parliament during the vote so that it could pass with little opposition.

    “I had to look for ways, by hook or by crook, to get it through, I had to manipulate systems, I looked for ways to get the opposition MPs to play our tune, I conspired with the opposition MPs and got some of them to absent themselves from the House so that I could get the numbers. Some were sponsored to go abroad while others were bribed to feign illness,” Mr Osoro claimed.

    The controversial legislator has also been at loggerheads with Kisii Governor Simba Arati which has led to chaos and ugly scenes amongst their supporters.

    Theuri vs Ombati

    From the looks, it is going to be a rematch between Law Society of Kenya’s outgoing president Eric Theuri and lawyer Omwanza Ombati for the seat.

    The two were the main rivals in the 2022 LSK election for its presidency but Theuri prevailed.

    When he was cleared to run for the LSK Male Representative position, Ombati said his objective is to improve the operations of the JSC to make it more open and develop policies that improve advocates’ practice environment.

    “The Judicial Service Commission is not merely an institution; it is the oil that runs the engines of our daily legal endeavours through critical policy interventions,” Ombati said.

    “As advocates, the decision we make in choosing our representative at the JSC is of paramount importance. Our aim is clear: to seek a representative who not only understands the challenges that we face in practice but also has the best plan to address the challenges.”

    The advocate counts on his 20 years’ experience to deliver for the lawyers and for the public interest.

    “I believe my 20 years of active practice within the corridors of justice have prepared me adequately to represent my esteemed colleagues at the Judiciary Service Commission,” Ombati said.

    Theuri said his focus is on helping reform the commission to be responsive to the needs of advocates and ensure quick turnaround of cases to deal with the backlog.

    He would also champion making it easier to hold judges accountable by going after those suspected of corruption, mainstreaming lifestyle audit of the judges and peer review so that judges can denounce their colleagues for the benefit of justice.

    “The judges know each other and we can streamline peer review mechanisms to so that those who suspect their colleagues can come forward for a thorough audit to be done and hold those in office to irregularly enrich themselves through bribes,” he said.

    Key among his reform focus is ensuring judges commit to not deliver decisions and judgments on notice.

    The two are seeking to replace Macharia Njeru whose six-year term ends in May.

    The LSK election is scheduled to be held on February 29.

  • Sossion confirms ditching Raila for Ruto

    Sossion confirms ditching Raila for Ruto

    ODM nominated MP Wilson Sossion is now set to join United Democratic Alliance (UDA) associated with the Deputy President Dr. William Ruto as he prepares to go for Bomet senatorial seat in 2022. Sossion claimed that the village elders who have endorsed his senate bid also directed him to join a party that resonates with the region as he popularizes his candidature.

    “They say charity begins at home. Today in my residence, the elders of Motigo sublocation in Bomet Central have decided to endorse my senate aspirations in 2022. The elders have advised me to stick on the prize and avoid backing any politician but to support DP Ruto in his 2022 presidential bid,” Sossion said.

    The former KNUT secretary general had hinted at running on Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party ticket but has finally made the bold move to join ODM’s arch rival to reap from the influence and support that DP Ruto enjoys in the region.

    CCM is owned by former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, a one time fierce critic of Deputy President William Ruto who also pledged to throw his support behind the country’s second in command’s 2022 bid.

    Sossion was nominated to parliament by ODM owner Raila Odinga who is expected to face off with UDA’s Ruto for presidency in 2022. He was however expected to ditch ODM after he was technically ‘kicked out’ of KNUT following a heated battle with the government and Teachers Service Commission but delayed the move that everyone had seen coming.

    He is eyeing the Bomet senatorial seat which is currently occupied by Christopher Andrew Langat who has been accusing Governor Hillary Barchok of incompetence. In May 2021, Langat verbally attacked the governor challenging him to sack all health officials at the county over the incompetent manner in which they are running the department.

    But Senator Langat has not declared whether he will be going the county’s top seat or defending his senate seat as the outspoken Sossion makes clear his intensions to oust him. Sossion’s move to join Ruto’s party is a big blow to ODM which is desperate for a point man in the region but a boost for DP who has been poaching ODM politicians since 2013.

    “I am grateful for the time I have served as nominated MP on ODM ticket. I want to thank my brother Raila Odinga and my colleagues in ODM. Am now seeking UDA ticket to run for Bomet Senatorial seat,” Sossion added.

     

     

  • Kalausi man denounces links with UDA

    Kalausi man denounces links with UDA

    Former cabinet minister Dalmas Otieno has distanced himself from any links with the United Democratic Alliance party which belongs to the Deputy President William Ruto indicating that it is wrong to go against President Uhuru Kenya and ODM leader Raila Odinga to win a political seat in Luo Nyanza.

    Otieno emphasized that he has no ties with UDA only that his political rivals are using the fake UDA link to dim his chances of succeeding Migori Governor Okoth Obado in 2022. The former Rongo MP has expressed his quest to clinch the seat that has also attracted Senator Ochillo Ayacko who lost to Obado in 2017.
    The former KANU point man in Nyanza region also stated that he has never shown interest or been approached by any UDA operative to undermine the much hyped political handshake between the ODM leader and President Kenyatta.

    Otieno who sounds desperate to rely on Odinga’s wave to clinch Migori seat said he is backing progressive leaders who are preaching peace and unity for the sake of development and not UDA whose hustler narrative is unrealistic. He challenged his opponents to grow up and exercise maturity.

    The ex-minister was part of the short lived ‘Kalausi Movement’ which was out to challenge the support that Raila Odinga enjoys in the Southern Nyanza after the 2013 polls but he is now keen to run on an ODM ticket.

    Migori top seat has attracted political big wigs with some crafting alliance to succeed Obado whose term will expire in AUgust 2022. Apart from Otieno and Ayacko, former Suna East MP John Pesa and businessman Philip Mwabe will also participate in the male dominated race which has attracted only one female aspirant, Migori county woman rep Pamela Odhiambo.

    The battle to succeed Obado is expected to be between Ayacko and Otieno who are enjoying wavering support across the County but some candidates will also rely on Obado influence in their attempts to win the seat.

     

  • UDA’s bad boy sent back to the drawing board

    UDA’s bad boy sent back to the drawing board

    The dirty past has come to haunt Lunga Lunga Mp Khatib Mwashetani who has shelved his 2022 gubernatorial ambitions in favor of Kenya Ports Authority engineer Lung’anzi Chai as he resorts to the drawing board.

    Mwashetani is backing Lung’anzi who has swindled from NG/ CDF like him and they both members of UDA, a fast rising political party associated with the Deputy President Dr. William Ruto. But he has not only chickened out of the Kwale gubernatorial, Mwashetani is technically taking a break from politics, may be to clean up and reinvent himself after he became unpopular for misusing CDF funds.

    He wants Kwale to end in the hands of Lung’anzi, a man who pocketed bribes while serving as the CDF manager for Kinango constituency where he selected by Hon. Gonzi Rai. Lung’anzi used his top position to hawk CDF bursaries at Sh10,000 and Sh20,000 to poor parents in Kinangop.

    That is the man who Mwashetani is not showing signs of defending his Lunga Lunga seat  wants to become the Kwale boss. A corrupt man who will dish out lucrative tenders to individuals like him [Mwashetani] who wants to hide from the limelight.

    Lung’anzi Chai [p/courtesy]
    He is not focused on defending his Lunga Lunga seat but he is instead planning to campaign for the DP Ruto who is eyeing presidency in the 2022 elections. His tainted image has seen him shiver from a race that is attracting big wigs and seasoned politicians like former cabinet minister Ali Mwakwere.

    Mwakere recently pulled an old school stunt when he refused to hand over microphone to Agriculture PS Hamadi Boga during the burial of former Kwale Women MP Zainab Chidzuga.  Boga, Mwahetani’s partner in crime is also in the race to succeed Salim Mvurya whose term will expire in August 2022. Kwale Deputy governor Fatuma Achani and one Daniel Gereza Dena are also running.

    Mwahetani and PS Boga were found to have orchestrated the irregular payment of Sh1.8 billion to controversial firms that imported maize during the drought of 2017. Investigations by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) also revealed that they colluded with Procurement chiefs, accountants at the Agriculture docket and directors of Blackstone Investment in the scam.

    Noah Wekesa who chaired the Strategic Food Reserve Fund (SFR) at the time only raised an alarm after Sh1.8 billion had been withdrawn and paid to the Commodity House without approval from the board.  The rafters of the scam claimed that the payment was meant to clear pending bills for grain imports.

    But upon further investigations, EACC also found that Blackstone Investments which associated was paid Sh792.5 million is associated with Mwashetani who benefited from the proceeds though the company was not even invited to tender.

    “Blackstone Investment had not been invited to tender, yet it was contracted to supply maize contrary to the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act (PPDA),” said Twalib Mbarak, the EACC chief executive.

     

  • UDA wars intensify in Muthama’s backyard

    UDA wars intensify in Muthama’s backyard

    The former senator of Machakos, Bwana Johnson Muthama is facing serious criticism from followers of the United Democratic Alliance in Ukamba.

    His closer allies including Ben Metho have threatened to desert the outspoken politician whom they accuse of arrogance, pride and misplaced dictatorship.

    Metho who has been rumoured of holding night meetings with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka now claims that the future of UDA in Ukambani remains bleak since Muthama turned into a ‘Mr know it all’ who bullies party supporters.

    UDA which is associated with the Deputy President Dr. William Ruto was recently floored in a Machakos senatorial by-election. Metho who has made up his mind to quit the UDA party claims that Muthama secretly campaigned for his estranged wife Agnes Kavindu who won the seat.

    UDA follower Ben Metho and DP William Ruto in an old courtesy photo.

    Muthama was among the first politicians to congratulate Kavindu senator  after the win.

    Metho added that Muthama is being ditched by most of his former as he called on UDA to do a post mortem to establish why it lost the Machakos senatorial by-election where it was expected to win.

    But Metho continues to hold night meetings with Kalonzo who is laying out strategies to tame Muthama ahead of next year general elections.

    Muthama fell out with the former VP and Kamba politics supremo after he openly stated that Kalonzo is not ripe for presidency in 2022.

    The former Machakos Senator has maintained that UDA leader William Rutois the man to beat in August 2022 general elections.

    Other ranking politician from the region who are eyeing presidency apart from Kalonzo are Machakos governor Alfred Mutua and his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana who parted ways with Kalonzo.

    But it’s not only Metho, many first term MPs from Ukambani who are allied to the DP Ruto have also accused Muthama of pocketing their hand-outs from the country’s second in command.

     

  • Desperation pushing Mvurya to form own party

    Desperation pushing Mvurya to form own party

    The outgoing Kwale governor Salim Mvurya is poised to form his own political party that would carry the hopes of the Coastal people after his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi was coerced to abandon a similar move.

    Mvurya’s counterparts at the coastal region including Mombasa governor Hassan Joho were convinced after a tea session with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House in April.

    The meeting aimed at locking out Deputy President William Ruto who has made serious inroads into the region that voted with opposition chief Raila Odinga in the past three elections. Confused Mombasa governor had hinted at going for ODM’s presidential ticket but has since made a weak u-turn with his political star going dim ahead of 2022.

    Mvurya who is DP Ruto’s pointman in the country is struggling to influence the election of his successor where he has shown strong support for his deputy Fatuma. But other Ruto’s men in the county like Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani are proving to be hard nuts for him to crack as he advances at taking over from the diminishing Mvurya.

    To succeed in pushing his agenda and support for DP Ruto, Mvurya has chosen to be the champion behind the formation of a political party with coastal roots to avoid competition with Ruto’s UDA where Mwashetani is also a force to reckon with.

    Information is still scanty if he will buy some small party and build or if he will form a new one from scratch.

    Kilifi governor Amason Kingi. He abondoned quest to form a coastal based party [p/courtesy]
    Umoja Summit Party of Kenya and KADU Asili have been mentioned as parties that can be revived to carry the dreams of the coastals even before the confused Kingi abandoned the push to form a coastal based party.

    Mvurya’s push is also formed by the noise that people from the coast are fed of clinging on parties owned by outsiders and that time could be ripe for the region to have party where they can call shots.

    Though he is Ruto’s sycophantic follower, Mvurya was conspicously mising from a meeting at the Sun and Sand Hotel where Ruto met professionals from the region to advance his 2022 journey.

    But other leaders like Mombasa’s Joho who was bought by KANU’s Gideon Moi just after the handshake have also opposed formation of a coastal party because he comes from the minority Arab extract.

    Joho has been under scathing attacks from other coasltal leaders who have accused him of letting the region down and only benefiting his family since he became governor nine years ago.

    The push to form a regional party had also been dismissed by leaders including Owen Baya of Kilifi North and Magarini’s Michael Kingi who expressed opposition to Kingi’s quest for a regional party.