Ex-Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati Backs Ruto One Year After Odinga MoU
A year after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has pledged to support President William Ruto.
Wangamati announced his break with the opposition at a funeral in Bumula on Saturday, citing the need to collaborate with the president to chart a path forward for the development of Bungoma County.
“The President called me on the phone and I went to see him and told me that he saw we had done a good job in Bungoma,” he revealed.
“I have decided to walk with President William Ruto,” he declared.
Wangamati disclosed in June 2022 that the party had reached an agreement with the Azimio Coalition in advance of the 2022 presidential election.
According to Wangamati, the agreement would guarantee that the Western region would receive prestigious ministerial positions should the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader be elected president.
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“DAP-K has a legitimate and signed working partnership with Azimio and I want to assure you that if Raila wins the elections, then the region will benefit,” he stated.
Wangamati’s decision to collaborate with Ruto follows in the footprints of several politicians who have aligned themselves with the head of state.
Elizabeth Ongoro (former Kasarani MP), Evans Kidero (former Nairobi Governor), Okoth Obado (former Migori Governor), and Jack Ranguma (former Kisumu Governor) are among the leaders who have left the opposition for Kenya Kwanza.
Kenya Kwanza has also taken steps to consolidate its power by reaching agreements with smaller political parties that have pledged their support to the ruling coalition.
United Democratic Movement (UDM), Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG), and Maendeleo Party are the most prominent.
Ruto, for his part, has reaffirmed his dedication to collaborating with leaders from all regions of the country who are prepared to help him fulfill his promises.
Ex-Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati Backs Ruto One Year After Odinga MoU