Kenya Kwanza snaps up Ali Roba-led UDM from Azimio la Umoja

President-elect William Ruto receives UDM Party members at his Karen residence in Nairobi on August 18, 2022. [Courtesy of Twitter]

President-elect William Ruto on Thursday afternoon received a delegation of United Democratic Movement (UDM) members, led by party leader Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba.

The Standard has established that at least two governors, two senators, seven Members of Parliament and 35 MCAs have joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

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

Other UDM members who have shifted allegiance include deputy party leader and Marsabit Governor-elect Mohamud Ali, Mandera governor-elect and deputy-governor elect Mohamed Adan Khalif and Ali Maalim, and Wajir senator-elect Abbas Sheikh.

The delegation was received at Ruto's Karen residence in Nairobi.

UDM Party now adds to a growing list of individuals who have decamped to Kenya Kwanza, just days after Ruto was declared President-elect.

On Wednesday, August 17 Ruto tapped at least eight independent candidates who won parliamentary seats in the August 9 General Election.

The eight met other Kenya Kwanza elected leaders at the outgoing deputy president's residence in Karen.