By Vitalis Kimutai
A number of politicians including Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo are eyeing the United Democratic Movement presidential ticket as political re-alignments unfold ahead of the next General Election.
Jirongo and former Agriculture minister Kipruto arap Kirwa, who are among the founder members of UDM, are said to be headed back to the party.
Kirwa, now a diplomat and a former Cheranganyi MP is eyeing a seat in Trans Nzoia County.
Jirongo whose Kaddu party did not meet the minimum threshold for registration under the Political Parties Act 2011, has announced severing of links with the United Republican Party.
The Lugari MP was initially expected to fight it out with Eldoret North MP William Ruto for URP’s ticket, but he has since thrown in the towel over allegations he had been sidelined in party affairs.
“I am no longer a party to the G7 alliance as it is a project that is being propelled by State House to exclude others in the presidential race. I am soon announcing my party of choice as my stay in URP is no longer teneable,” Jirongo said.
He is said to have been consulting with UDM officials in the past few weeks and that an announcement would soon be made on the matter which has generated much interests.
Expressed interests
Some ODM MPs from Rift Valley, especially from the South Rift region, are also expected to decamp to the party owing to what they are claiming to be continued marginalisation in party affairs and skewed manner in which the Cabinet positions have been dished out in the past.
Lt Gen (rtd) John Koech, the UDM national chairman said in an interview he was privy to information that Jirongo was interested with rejoining the party but there had been no official communication on the matter.
“We are aware he has told his supporters he wants to be UDM’s presidential flag bearer in the next General Election, but he has not consulted me as the party chairman,” Koech said.
