ODM MP Alfred Sambu Defects to UDF

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi landed a huge catch in the ongoing party defections after bagging Webuye MP Alfred Sambu.

Mudavadi received Sambu who ditched ODM for UDF during the official introduction of his presidential campaign secretariat as the race to succeed President Kibaki hots up.

Mudavadi also unveiled his campaign team, which will sell the UDF agenda across the country as the general election inches closer.

Sambu on joining UDF noted the politics of Kenya has been built on tribal lines and it is time Kenyans voted for a president who can give it national status and make it all inclusive.

“But all politics is local then regional and national. For others to take us very seriously in this ethnicised regional politics, we must have a home. My ‘sweet home’ is UDF hence my decision today”, said Sambu.

Speaking during the ceremony held at the secretariat offices in Kileleshwa, Mudavadi reassured the party supporters that the UDF party will no doubt win at the ballot.

 “I don’t want you to have any doubt, we shall win. Don’t be cowed by the political propaganda spanned all over that some of our members have defected. We shall take the battle to their home ground with fresh young leaders we continue to receive”, he said.

“Nobody should imagine we are going to play a second fiddle to them but we are open to coalition with a party after we are clear we have a convergence in ideology based on our structured guide on the issues but not for the sake of it”, he added.

He said the key to avoiding the violence similar to 2007/2008 is in the hands of every Kenyans.

“Note the clear differences between the candidates and make the right choice. If you are going to vote along ethnic block lines expect no difference in your life in future”.

Former ambassador Boaz Mbaya takes charge of the presidential campaign while former Cabinet minister Mukhisa Kituyi handles policy and strategy advisory issues. Veteran editor Mr Mundia Muchiri is Director of Communication, Mrs Elizabeth Weya is the director of Human Resource, finance and administration, Mr Joseph Kioko is the director of operations and Mr Julius Thuranira Director of Youth affairs. Mr Sande Oyolo is the UDF party’s director of campaigns while.

The function was attended by 10 MPs allied to UDF including Abdikadir Mohammed, Justus Kizito, Yusuf Chanzu, George Khaniri, George Nyamweya, Bonni Khalwale, Nderitu Muriithi, Benjamin Washiali, and Manyalla Keya.

Others are former MPs Raphael Wanjala (Busia County), Basil Mwakiringo (Taita Taveta County) and Simeon Mkalla (Kwale County), and Trade Union officials Omboko Milemba KUPPET Secretary General and Rajab Omondi National chairman of COTU, among others.

Source: The Standard