27 MPs ditch opposition for President Uhuru’s new Jubilee Party

Jubillee delegates meeting at Kasarani stadium on 9th september 2016 [PHOTO:DAVID GICHURU/Standard]

More MPs defected from the opposition to Jubilee Party (JP) yesterday when thousands of delegates converged at Kasarani to ratify merger of 11 parties into the new outfit.

Twenty legislators dumped parties allied to Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) during the colourful event graced by Deputy President William Ruto.

They were paraded before the delegates as it was declared they had officially ditched the opposition for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s new re-election vehicle, which is to be officially launched today.National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale was tasked with introducing the lawmakers, majority of who were drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Those from ODM included Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi North) Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale County), Mustafa Iddi (Kilifi South), Peter Shehe (ganze) Masoud Mwahima (Likoni), Mburi Apuri (Tigania East), Cyprian Iringo (Igembe Central) Joseph Lekuton( Laisamis) and Samuel Arama (Nakuru West). Others include Ford Kenya Deputy Party leader Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Wiper’s Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni) and Regina Ndambuki (Kilome), Chama cha Uzalendo’s Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) and Vincent Munyaka( Machakos Town).

Kanu’s Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Moses Cheboi (Kuresoi South) Eric Keter( Belgut) and Hellen Sambili (Mogotio), Narc Kenya’s Rachel Nyamai (Kitui South), Muungano’s Francis Mwangangi (Yatta) and John Munuve (Mwingi Central) were also present. West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin of Kanu also decamped.

The MPs joined John Waluke (Sirisia), Protus Akuja (Loima), Stephen Kariuki (Mathare), Isaac Mwaura (nominated), Nicholas Ngikor (Turkana East) and Turkana Senator John Munyes  who on Thursday announced their defection. The number of legislators who have joined Jubilee from the opposition’s rank now stands at 27.