Nyanza leaders including former governors Evans Kidero (Nairobi), Okoth Obado (Migori) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), have confirmed joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party led by President William Ruto.
The leaders argued that they will be working with the Kenya Kwanza Government to ensure development in Nyanza regions.
Speaking during a joint presser at the UDA Party headquarters on Tuesday, March 14, Kidero stated that the ruling party cared for the people of Kenya adding that the Azimio coalition was focused on the wrong thing.
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.
“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.
"The party is only interested in doing things for themselves and not for the people who elected them. There were protests in Migori and our mothers could not sell Omena because normal activities were paralysed, ” Kidero lamented.
Additionally, Kidero noted that despite the Luo Nyanza community not voting for the President and the Deputy President, they had made the region a priority when it came to development matters.
“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.
Moreover, UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala reiterated the importance of creating a national party that would serve all tribes and regions.
“We cannot have Kenya A and Kenya B neither can we have part of the country left behind while fixing the country,” Malala stated.
Further explaining the reason for the move, Kidero added that Kenya ought to be one nation and every Kenyan deserved to enjoy the services 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.
The announcement came hours after more than 30 leaders pledged their loyalty to President William Ruto and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party on Monday, March 13, at a meeting at State House.
Among them were former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) governors Okoth Obado (Migori), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) and Evans Kidero (Nairobi).
Additionally, others included Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency chairman, Odoyo Owidi, and former Members of Parliament Martin Ogindo, John Pesa, Rose Nyamunga, Nicholas Gumbo and Edick Anyanga.
After the presser, the political leaders were issued with UDA membership certificates to affirm that they were welcome at the party.