Maendeleo Chap Chap Secretary General Stephen Kilonzo defects to UDA

Kilonzo blamed a big dilemma on vying for the Kitui Senate seat on MCC saying the party leader is still unclear on his presidential stab stand.

He said he had problems convincing Kitui residents in 2017 to vote for him as their senator while his party leader was not on the presidential ballot and would not afford to make a similar mistake this time round.

“In 2017, I ran on a party that did not have a presidential candidate who I could sell to help me implement my promises. I am now more at home because I will run on UDA that has a formidable presidential candidate in DP William Ruto,” said Kilonzo in a Wednesday interview with The Star .

He said that UDA was more accommodative however pointing out that he has not yet communicated his defection officially to MCC leaders.

He said he will leave the field open for lawyer Wilfred Mati, who will also be contesting for the Kitui senatorial seat with the MCC ticket.

“I consulted widely and negotiated with UDA top officials. I find the party accommodative. It is now my new home on whose ticket I will seek the senatorial seat,” he said.

Kilonzo adds to the list of those who defected their parties to UDA including Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi who will be vying for the Westlands MP seat, and Garissa MP Aden Duale. 

Kilonzo in 2017 was the first runner's up after he was defeated by Senator Enoch Wambua in the Kitui senatorial seat.