Chesumei MP Elijah Lagat and former Mosop MP David Koech have led several leaders from Deputy President William Ruto’s North Rift region in ditching the ruling Jubilee Party to join opposition National Super Alliance (NASA).
Speaking while launching NASA campaigns in Eldoret on Tuesday, the more than ten MPs said that the ruling administration had failed to cater for the needs of local farmers, despite the region religiously voting for President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2013 elections.
The leaders, mostly MPs and Ministers in the KANU regime further accused the Jubilee government of undermining devolution, saying that NASA’s pledge to allocate 45% of the national cake to counties was more appealing to them and residents.
“The Jubilee government has frustrated the farmers in this country. We have launched intensive campaigns for NASA in Rift Valley to vote out a failed government. We have looked at NASA’s manifesto and felt that it suits us best,” Lagat said.
Former Emgwen MP Stephen Tarrus said that Jubilee was playing divisive politics and has sidelined the Rift Valley region in terms of development projects.
“We, as people of Rift Valley, are fed up with fake Jubilee promises. Jubilee should not think that we have moved to NASA individually. We have moved with the masses,” said Mr. Tarrus.
Former Marakwet West MP David Sudi expressed confidence that Raila Odinga will defeat President Kenyatta come August, insisting that Rift Valley residents were tired of empty promises by Jubilee.
The move, coming just 20 days to the August 8th general election, could be a blow to Jubilee Party given the fact that Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, a key figure in Rift Valley politics in the 2013 general elections, also joined the opposition.
