UDM formally ditches Azimio, signs post-election agreement with Kenya Kwanza

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) party has officially reached an agreement with the Kenya Kwanza alliance after announcing that it had ditched the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party on Thursday.

In a joint meeting held in Karen on Saturday, Kenya Kwanza co-principals led by President-elect William Ruto reached a consensus to have UDM join their camp as they seek to form the next government.

Ruto welcomed UDM boss Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba and his party, promising that they would enjoy the equal rights of association as their counterparts in the coalition.

“Kenya Kwanza has grown...over time many members have joined, today UDM has joined and like any other members before you, UDM will become an equal member like all the others,” said Ruto.

“Kenya Kwanza is broad enough to accommodate all of us. Karibuni sana.”

He similarly commended the move by UDM, further pointing out that he (Ruto) was the founder of the party in the late 1990s after he fell out with KANU.

“I am actually the founder of UDM, thank you for bringing the party home. When we were harassed out of KANU, that is what we did,” Ruto noted.

On his part, UDM party leader Roba thanked Kenya Kwanza for accepting to partner with them in forming the next government.

He likewise chided the Azimio political outfit accusing its leadership of lack of transparency in their operations, citing this as the reason behind UDM’s move to Kenya Kwanza.

“The opaqueness with which Azimio has operated is what will lead to everybody leaving. I am honoured to be accepted back. Today we have signed something we know,” Roba said.

“My advice to Azimio is that if you were not able to earn that trust, don’t embarrass yourself by discussing a document which is not with us.”

This follows Azimio's team criticism of Ruto over what they termed as going against the law by wooing members-elect to his fold.

“We are shocked that DP William Ruto, who harbors dreams of leading Kenya, is already engaged in acts of impunity and disregard of the rule of law. He must suffer from gross ignorance of our laws,” stated Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat Spokesperson Prof. Makau Mutua in a statement on Friday.

“As we issue this statement, Mr. Ruto is assiduously wooing some of the leaders elected as Independents and on the Azimio Coalition to defect to his side. This is the practice that was used in the KANU era to defeat the independence of the legislature and retard the growth of multiparty democracy.”