Raila Ally Micah Kigen Defects to Ruto’s UDA Amid ODM Merger Speculations
Raila Odinga’s key supporter in the Rift Valley, Micah Kigen, has left the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to join President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
The switch was confirmed by UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar on Tuesday, October 29, following a meeting with Kigen at the UDA headquarters in Nairobi.
Held at Hustler Plaza, the gathering also included UDA Treasurer Japheth Nyakundi and representatives from Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kigen’s home region.
“We welcome you to UDA, my brother Micah Kigen. It’s President William Ruto’s commitment to listen to Kenyans and address the issues they care about,” Omar said as he welcomed Kigen to the party.
Before joining the Kenya Kwanza alliance, Kigen served as ODM’s chairperson in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
In the 2022 elections, Kigen contested the Keiyo South parliamentary seat under ODM but did not succeed.
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Welcoming Kigen, Nyakundi urged him to rally his community behind President Ruto’s administration.
During the event, UDA leaders commended Kigen’s dedication and resourcefulness, noting his membership would enhance the party’s regional and national influence.
This shift follows a recent meeting between Kigen, Omar, and other Elgeyo Marakwet leaders at UDA’s Nairobi office just two weeks prior.
With his defection, Kigen joins other ODM members who have shifted to UDA amid speculations of a possible ODM and Kenya Kwanza coalition merger.
However, ODM leaders, led by Chairperson Gladys Wanga, dismissed merger rumors at a press briefing in Kisumu on October 15, asserting that ODM remains in opposition.
Wanga confirmed that ODM would field candidates across all positions, including the presidency, in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Raila Ally Micah Kigen Defects to Ruto’s UDA Amid ODM Merger Speculations
