James Ongwae, the most recent governor of Kisii, has left the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition for the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
On September 9, 2022, Ongwae and other Kisii and Nyamira county officials met with President-elect William Ruto at his Karen house for “partnership” discussions.
The leaders included Janet Ong’era, the current Kisii Woman Representative, ex-MPs Zepedeo Opere, Jimmy Angwenyi, Manson Nyamweya, South Mugirango’s Manson Nyamweya, Stephen Manoti, and Zadock Ogutu (Bomachoge Borabu).
Both Chris Obure, the former chief administrative secretary of the Transport Department, and John Matundura, the head of the Abagusii Council of Elders, were there.
Ongwae told a local daily, “We have had a great discussion with the President-elect and assured him that we are ready to work with him and assist his government.
He claimed that the neighborhood “is eager to work with the President-elect.”
Ongwae and Ong’era were significant allies of ODM party leader Raila Odinga, who actively participated in the former prime minister’s presidential campaigning in the just-concluded Kisii region. Since Ruto’s electoral triumph, an increasing number of politicians have joined his cause.
The leaders’ departure for Kenya Kwanza has given a blow to Raila, who has enjoyed steady support in the Kisii region for decades.
At the Supreme Court, Raila’s attempt to have Ruto’s election declared illegitimate was failed.
The unanimous verdict of a seven-judge bench ruling that the presidential election was conducted in conformity with the constitution was read aloud by Chief Justice Martha Koome on Monday.
Raila received 6,942, 930 votes, or 48.85 percent of the total votes cast, while Ruto received 7,176, 141 votes, or 50.49 percent, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati on August 15, 2022.
The newly elected President will take the oath of office on September 13.
