UDM Party Leaders Ditch Raila's Azimio Coalition for Ruto's Kenya Kwanza

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) party has ditched Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition for president-elect William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

UDM leaders led by outgoing Mandera County Governor Ali Roba and Mandera governor-elect Mohamed Khalif were welcomed into Kenya Kwanza by Ruto at his Karen residence on Thursday.

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

Other UDM leaders present included Mandera Deputy Govovern-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 (Lunga Lunga), AbdulEnrahim Haro (Mandera South) and Adan Haji (Mandera West).

UDM party bagged seven MPs seats, two senators, two governors and 35 MCAs in the just-concluded general election and was part of the over 20 parties affiliated to the Azimio coalition.

The move comes a day after 10 out of the 12 MPs who were elected on independent tickets in the August 9th election joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Ruto made the announcement after chairing a meeting of Kenya Kwanza elected leaders at his Karen residence on Wednesday afternoon.

"Out of the 12 independent MPs, 10 have joined the Kenya Kwanza coalition," Ruto told the meeting.