Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi has officially left the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party for Jubilee Alliance Party (Jap).
Maangi and his boss Governor James Ongwae ascended to power through ODM in 2013.
Making the announcement on Sunday at Itierio in Bonchari Sub-county during a fundraiser for the Lutheran Church of Kenya, Maangi pledged his profound support for Jubilee in the coming general election.
He told the opposition to stop complaining about his relationship with Deputy President William Ruto and the Jubilee government, saying he has a right to make personal political decisions.
“I was surprised to hear people complaining why some Kisii leaders and I visited Ruto in his Sugoi home. Am I not supposed to visit a national leader? We want developmental politics. I have no regret to announce that I am supporting and will support Jubilee come 2017 election,” he said.
“When we visited the deputy president we discussed three things; our roads, internally displaced persons and the Suneka Airstrip, which he is going to confirm here. So I don’t see any essence of hullabaloo about this,” he added.
Maangi who is also Kisii County ODM Organising Secretary General said that Jubilee has an upper hand in Gusii region and will win come 2017.
“Considering Jubilee’s win in three by-elections conducted in Kisii County; Nyaribari Chache-Richard Tong’i, Bonchari-Zebedeo Opore and Bomachoge Borabu-Joel Onyancha, it’s a clear indicator the party is deepening its roots in the county,” he said.
Jubilee coalition scooped 30 per cent of the total votes cast in Kisii County, against ODM's 70 per cent in 2013 general election.
Maangi’s announcement of joining Jubilee comes barely three months after he risked being kicked out of the party over allegations that he was colluding with Jubilee to cripple the opposition in the county.
He was given a clean bill of health after the county ODM party leadership led by the chairman, who is also Kisii Senator Chris Obure, and the party’s secretary, Governor Ongwae convened a meeting to discuss Maangi’s alleged misconduct.
Maangi was said to have violated the party’s constitution by leading a delegation of more than 1,500 people from both Kisii and Nyamira counties to pay a courtesy call to Ruto at his Sugoi home.
ODM party leader and Cord principal Raila Odinga was among opposition affiliates who never took lightly Maangi’s alleged misconduct, terming him a ‘Jubilee mole’.
Salid Iddi Mustafa, Kilifi South ODM MP warned the Abagusii community against electing leaders on the basis of political affiliations, colour or religion. He pledged his support for the Jubilee government for the benefit of his constituents.
The legislator challenged the opposition to emulate Jubilee and form a one party that will unite Kenyans.
“I don’t see any problem of supporting the government because failure to, I will be failing the people I represent,” said the former TV sports presenter.
Deputy President William Ruto faulted the opposition for restraining leaders who wants to work with the government.
“Had I known I was to ask for permission before the Kisii leaders visited me in my home, I was to do it. But let me apologyse on their behalf,” Ruto said in a sarcastic address drawing the crowd into laughter.
He added: “Are you slaves and must you seek permission before you see somebody? Whoever complaining should engage in other important things rather than concentrating on one issue. When we meet with leaders we discuss developmental issues. For now, it’s time to deliver. Let us hold our horses till 2017, we will play serious politics.”
Mr. Ruto lured the Abagusii community to join the new political outfit, Jubilee Alliance Party that he defended is a catalyst that would break tribal cocoons.
“It’s the right time to correct the mess of 2013. I ask all Kisiis to join us in the new and inclusive vehicle, JAP. We resolved to merge partner parties; TNA, URP, Ford-People among others and make an umbrella party that will have every community on board. This will solve the problem we have had of tribalism that is threatening our national unity.”
Among other leaders present who promised to support the Jubilee government include; Kisii governor James Ongwae, area MP Zebedeo Opore, Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Nuru Angwenyi, Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti, Bomachoge Borabu’s Joel Onyancha, Jubilee’s former Kisii women representative aspirant Judy Kerubo Miruka, Kenya National Library Services Board Chairperson Samuel Nyangeso, JKF’s Walter Nyambati and KICC Board chairman Omingo Magara.
Mrs. Miruka hailed the government for its war against corruption. She asked the community to vehemently support the Jubilee government now and in the coming elections. She is again in the race for Kisii women rep seat in the coming elections.
Nyambati and Magara promised to rally support for Ruto’s bid for Presidency in the 2022 general elections after Uhuru Kenyatta’s second term.
Mr. Nyangeso, the former mayor in the defunct Kisii Municipality asked the community to pray for Ruto to get out of ICC hook in order to serve Kenyans.
Kisii women representative Mary Keraa Otara challenged the Jubilee Administration to finalize construction of the Suneka Airstrip and construct roads it pledged in Bonchari constituency. Mrs. Otara’s address was seemingly targeting are MP Zebedeo Opore whom she has had supremacy battle with.
In a quick response, Ruto said the government has allocated a chunk of sh. 50 million for the construction of the Airstrip that would be available in two weeks time.
Other goodies the Deputy President brought to Kisii people include; tarmacing of 120km new roads, equipping Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital with equipments costing sh. 725 million and expanding its ICU, expanding Gucha Hospital at Keroka, Nyamache and Keumbu Sub-county hospitals, construction of five technical training institutes at sh.500 million and power connectivity to schools to be complete in three weeks time.
“When we entered in power, just three years ago, power connectivity in schools stood at 60 percent, but it’s at 98 percent right now. We were targeting 729 primary schools in Kisii County. Only 25 of the total number of schools have not been installed with power. They will be supplied with power latest in three weeks time,” the DP noted.