Ali Roba’s UDM party ditches Azimio for Kenya Kwanza

Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba’s United Democratic Movement (UDM) party has now ditched the Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party for President-elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance.

Roba, who is the outgoing Mandera Governor, alleged that the move was occasioned by what he termed as “longstanding unresolved issues” within the Azimio fold.

Roba took to social media to post a letter the party purportedly wrote to Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu on April 14, 2022 following the publication of Azimio National Coalition Council members as well as the National Coalition Executive Council.

The party, in the letter written by Secretary General David Ohito, opposed the lists saying it had not been consulted or involved in the decision making despite being a constituent party of Azimio.

“As a constituent party we have no information, engagement or awareness thereof. As such we write to register our complaint and opposition to the same,” wrote Ohito.

“The party raises concerns that it is not being engaged in critical meetings and decisions which bear great impact on the coalition. The party is yet to formally receive a copy of the coalition agreement documents signed by all parties to the coalition.”

The party hence noted that it felt aggrieved and had lost trust in Azimio, noting that if coalition matters were not held in a transparent manner then “the future looks bleak.”

President-elect Ruto welcomed Roba and other members of the UDM party to the Kenya Kwanza faction on Thursday at his Karen residence.

“We salute the United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership for abandoning Azimio La Umoja and joining Kenya Kwanza,” wrote Ruto.

Roba was flanked by deputy party leader and Marsabit Governor-elect Mohamud Ali and Mandera Governor-Elect Mohamed Adan Khalif.

Others were Mandera Deputy Governor-elect Ali Maalim, Wajir Senator-elect Abbas Sheikh, MPs Umulkheir Kassim (Mandera), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North), Kullow Hassan (Banisa), Joseph Lekuton (Laisamis), Mangale Munga Chiforomodo (Lunga Lunga), AbdulEnrahim Haro (Mandera South) and Adan Haji (Mandera West).