[Opposition defectors when they were received by Jubilee Party leader president Uhuru Kenyatta at Tononoka grounds, Mombasa, March 12, 2017. Photo/PSCU]
The Opposition (Nasa) has suffered yet another blow, after over ten leaders from the larger Coastal region, left for president Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party.
At the event attended by Uhuru's deputy, William Ruto, governors Hussein Dado of Tana River and Salim Mvurya of Kwale led other leaders to join Jubilee, saying it is the party of unity and progress.
Dado decamped from Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper party, to Jubilee, saying he wanted a coalition with a track record.
Other leaders who joined Jubilee from the Opposition were Deputy governors Hazel Katana (Mombasa), Kenneth Kamto (Kilifi) and Fatuma Mohammed Achani (Kwale), Women Representatives Zainab Chidzuga (Kwale), Joyce Lay (Taita Taveta) and Halima Ware (Tana River).
Jubilee also officially received Members of Parliament Dan Mwazo (senator Taita Taveta), Gideon Mung'aro (Kilifi North), Mustafa Idd (Kilifi South), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Peter Shehe (Ganze), Masoud Mwahima (Likoni) and a host of Members of County Assembly from the six counties of the Coast region, who had earlier defected.
“We welcome these forward looking leaders who have decided to join us in developing this region. In Jubilee, we are saying we want to work with respectful leaders like Dado and Mvurya who know they were elected to serve not to lord it over the electorate,” Kenyatta said, Sunday.
As Jubilee, he said, they aimed to unite the whole country and transform lives of Kenyans in an inclusive way.
President Kenyatta received the new members to Jubilee from the Opposition at Tononoka grounds where he addressed a huge rally.
This is seen as a major blow to Opposition, since Coast is usually perceived an Opposition stronghold.
The Opposition has since planned a rally in the region, to counter Uhuru's rally.