Editor's Review

Ruto announced on Thursday that the UDM party leader and the 7 MPs had joined his camp.

The United Democratic Movement party has ditched the Azimio La Umoja Movement and joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance led by President-elect William Ruto. 

Ruto made the revelation on Thursday after meeting UDM party leader Ali Roba at Deputy President's Karen Residence. 

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leadership abandons Azimio La Umoja and joins Kenya Kwanza. IMAGE: COURTESY

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

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Roba was one of the Chief campaigners of the Azimio team in the northeastern region.

Two governors, two senators and 35 MCAs have also joined Kenya Kwanza. 

Present at Ruto's Karen residence were Deputy Party Leader and Marsabit Governor-Elect Mohamud Ali and Mandera Governor-Elect Mohamed Adan Khalif were present at the Karen Residence, Nairobi County.

Others were Deputy Governor-Elect Mandera 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).

Legally, however, the UDM party is still a member of the Azimio coalition and can only leave the alliance in December.

Early this year, the party entered into a pact with Jubilee to back Azimio La Umoja Coalition presidential candidate  Raila Odinga.

The pact stipulates that a member party can only leave the coalition four months after a General Election.