ODM Politician Defects To UDA As Wanga Denies Merger Claims
Micah Kigen, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s closest ally in the Rift Valley Region, has defected from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and joined President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar made the announcement on Tuesday, October 29, following a meeting with the ODM politician at the UDA headquarters in Nairobi.
Other leaders attended the meeting, which was held at the Hustler Plaza, including UDA Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi and party members from Micah Kigen’s home county, Elegyo Marakwet.
“I welcome you to UDA my brother Micah Kigen,” Omar stated while welcoming Kigen to the party.
“I want to state that it is President William Ruto’s desire that we listen to Kenyans, pay attention to Kenyans’ issues of concern, and address those issues Kenyans are raising.”
Elgeyo Marakwet ODM chair Micah Kigen defects to UDA
— United Democratic Alliance, UDA. (@UDAKenya) October 29, 2024
UDA Party welcomed Elgeyo Marakwet County ODM Chairman Micah Kigen to its ranks after he joined the party from the opposition.
Until his defection to UDA, Kigen was a trusted soldier of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and… pic.twitter.com/BLuVxurP6S
Before joining the Kenya Kwanza affiliate party, Kigen was the ODM chairperson in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
In 2022, Kigen was one of several candidates for the Keiyo South parliamentary seat. Kigen ran on the ODM party ticket but lost the election.
While welcoming Kigen to the party, Nyakundi encouraged the recruit to rally his county’s residents in support of President William Ruto’s administration.
During the meeting, UDA politicians praised Kigen for his dedication and resource mobilization for the officials.
They also stated that his addition to the party would strengthen the UDA’s ability to compete both regionally and nationally.
The latest development comes just two weeks after Kigen met with the UDA Secretary General and other Elgeyo Marakwet politicians at Hassan Omar’s office in Nairobi.
Following the announcement, Kigen becomes the latest politician to defect from the UDA to ODM.
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His decision comes amid reports of a possible merger between ODM and the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
However, ODM leaders, led by Chairperson Gladys Wanga, denied claims of a merger with President Ruto’s coalition at a recent press briefing.
Wanga clarified to journalists in Kisumu on October 15 that his party remained in opposition.
Wanga stated that the ODM party, like any other political party, will run candidates for all elective positions, including the presidency, in the next general election, which is scheduled for 2027.
ODM Politician Defects To UDA As Wanga Denies Merger Claims
