New signings: Blow to UDA as more Mt Kenya politicians quit to join Nyoro party

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro welcomed two Kiambu MCAs and former Mugoiri Ward MCA Sospeter Nyoko to the People's Party on Thursday, August 20

- The new recruits, including Hon Zack Macharia and Winnie Wambui, all defected from the ruling UDA party

- A parliamentary aspirant for Kirinyaga Central, Hon Martin Chomba, also formally joined the People's Party on the same day

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro continues to attract elected politicians and those seeking elective posts into his People's Party of Kenya.

Thursday, August 20, Nyoro received four political figures into the People's Party (PP), as his recruitment drive in the Mt Kenya region continued to gather momentum following his own departure from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The latest arrivals include two sitting Members of County Assembly from Kiambu County: Hon Zack Macharia, the current MCA for Kiuu Ward (Githurai 45) in Ruiru Constituency, and Winnie Wambui, also a Kiambu MCA but nominated.

Both had previously been affiliated with UDA, which Nyoro quit and now refers to as the "Wheelbarrow party."

"Karibuni sana Waheshimiwa. We are African and Africa is our Business," Nyoro wrote while announcing their arrival.

Former Mugoiri MCA and Kirinyaga Aspirant Join PP

Also received into the party on the same day was Hon Sospeter Nyoko, the immediate former MCA for Mugoiri Ward in Murang'a County, who is now expected to defend the seat on a People's Party ticket at the next general election.

A delegation from Kirinyaga Central, led by Martin Chomba, a parliamentary aspirant for the constituency, similarly joined the party. Nyoro welcomed the group, describing the occasion as a significant step for the party's expansion into the region.

Growing Defections From UDA

Thursday's arrivals follow an earlier wave of defections announced in the days prior.

Two nominated MCAs, Esther Irungu from Kiambu County Assembly and Anthony Marubu, popularly known as Manucho, from Murang'a County Assembly, both nominated on UDA tickets in 2022, had already crossed over to the People's Party.

Nyoro, who officially joined PPK on Monday, August 17, revealed that Irungu had volunteered to serve at the party's offices without pay until the 2027 general election.

Other figures who joined the party around the same period include James Kamau, a parliamentary aspirant for Kasarani Constituency who contested the 2022 elections on a Tujibebe Party ticket, West Pokot Women Representative aspirant Damaris, and Marsabit Town MCA aspirant Guyo Galgalo.

The recruitment activity has attracted scrutiny from allies of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, operating under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), who have alleged that Nyoro is acting on instructions from President William Ruto to fragment the Mt Kenya vote ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nyoro has pushed back against those claims, stating that he spent close to a year in consultations with opposition figures including Peter Munya, Martha Karua, James Orengo, Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i before choosing the People's Party as his new political base.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.