It was just a matter of days before former Cabinet minister Prof Sam Ongeri defected from the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee Party.
Ongeri had thrown his weight behind the re-election of ODM Governor James Ongwae of Kisii County, thus, his announcement over his next move ahead of the 2017 general election was eagerly awaited.
According to the People Daily, Ongeri said he left Jubilee because the “owners of the party” had openly indicated they did not need him.
The said owners, Ongeri added, have instead ‘imposed strangers’ in the party to steer JP’s campaigns in Kisii County.
“Let it be known that from today, I have officially said bye to the Jubilee Party. I am heading to the party which the people from the Gusii region want to vote for in large numbers in the coming election,” he said.
Ongeri said he will announce which party he will vie on as he seeks the Kisii senatorial seat in January.
The UN-Habitat ambassador said Jubilee Party “embraces political rejects who cannot deliver votes for the party and the President”.
Jubilee Party's point men in Kisii County include former CIC chair Charles Nyachae and deputy Governor Joash Maangi.