Win for UDA as Raila allies defect

UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala (centre) with a section of Kenya Kwanza leaders and Raila Odinga's allies who defected to the party. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

President William Ruto has pulled the rag from under the feet of Opposition chief Raila Odinga after 30 leaders defected to his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

At the same time, Ruto has convinced eight ODM senators and MPs to work with his government, further weakening Raila's stranglehold of his Nyanza political base.