Former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye Abandons Raila for Jubilee

Former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye has become the latest recruit of the Jubilee Party from the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA).

The former county boss has ditched the opposition for the ruling party in the ongoing mass defection of politicians allied to the Raila-led outfit.

Nkedianye was welcomed to Jubilee by Deputy President William Ruto, who visited his residence in Kajiado on Wednesday. Ruto said it was not easy to convince the former ODM diehard to join his camp.

“It started in 2012, when we were crafting a team for Jubilee, but after several attempts, it didn’t work,” he said at the rural home of Nkedianye in Old Kitengela.

While announcing his defection, Nkedianye pledged to work with successor, Joseph ole Lenku and withdrew his petition against Ole Lenku’s August 8th victory.

Nkedianye said, “We have agreed to work together. We support Lenku’s politics of unity. We are now in Jubilee.”

Nkedianye, who contested on an ODM ticket trailed Lenku in second position for the Kajiado governor race.

While Nkedianye's move is a blow to Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, it could boost President Uhuru's efforts to consolidate the Maa community vote, especially considering that former Narok Senator Ole Ntutu and a host of other maa leaders abandoned the opposition after the August 8th poll.