The Orange party has been dealt a blow after a leading gubernatorial aspirant on its ticket in Nyamira County officially decamped to rival Jubilee.
Mr. Charles Mochama made the unprecedented announcement on Friday after rumour emerged that he had met Deputy President William Ruto earlier this week.
In his statement, Mochama said he will be comfortable working with the Jubilee government under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I want to make it clear that I will work with Jubilee government onwards. This is my decision and I think it’s timely. I will contest the gubernatorial seat on JAP ticket in 2017 elections,” Mochama said.
“The Jubilee team is flexible and I need such people so that we can work together. It’s a young government with people of my age and I have to support them for the sake of lifting Nyamira to the next level,” he added.
His announcement complicates the gubernatorial race given Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Chairman and a trusted lieutenant of President Kenyatta Walter Nyambati is in the race.
But according to a source who spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity, the Jubilee team is plotting to reward Nyambati with a senatorial appointment after he drops his bid in favour of Mochama.
“This is a move that has been choreographed by DP Ruto and education CS Fred Matiangi. They want Nyambati to be nominated to Senate in 2017,” said the source.
Mochama was viewed as favourite candidate for ODM after the party fell out with Governor John Nyagarama, and his move may have been propelled by latest entry of ODM Nyamira branch chairman James Gesami into the race.