Blow to ODM after Lurambi MP Khamala defects to UDA

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party suffered a major setback on Saturday after Lurambi MP Titus Khamala defected to the ruling UDA.

Khamala, who is serving his second term as MP, switched camps at his Shibuli home on Sunday night after a four-hour deliberation.

He was received by members of the Western region presidential campaign team, that is pushing for President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027.

They include Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula, who is the deputy regional co-ordinator and MPs Mary Emase (Teso South), Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), Kakai Bisau (Kiminini) and Vihiga woman MP Beatrice Adagala.

Khamala said he had joined UDA to boost the chances of President Ruto in winning votes in the Western region.

“I have today joined UDA from ODM. This is the beginning of my campaign for President Ruto in this region for the sake of development, “ he said.

“I was elected on Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC in 2017. I shifted to ODM in 2022, hoping that the Azimio La Umoja coalition would form the next government but missed. I don’t want to miss again,” Khamala said.

Khamala was joined by a team of teachers from the constituency who vowed to support Ruto’s re-election.

Savula said that more than 10 other MPs in other parties, including those in ODM, are on the way to defect to UDA from other parties.

Savula described Khamala as a giraffe, capable of seeing where the future lies.

ODM is currently split down the middle with one faction led by Siaya Senator and current party leader Oburu Odinga backing Ruto’s re-election, while the second faction led by party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna is pulling towards the United opposition.

Savula said Ruto has implemented more development projects in the region, which gives him a head start against opposition in the fight for the over 2.6 million votes in the region.

Adagala said it was a waste of time for communities in Western to support opposition because it has no agenda for the country.

“You cannot have an agenda called Ruto must go and one term. Where is the opposition’s shadow cabinet?” said Adagala.

Emase said the wind of Ruto is blowing strongly in western ahead of the 2027 General Election. Bisau said the time is ripe for Western to be fully in the government.

Ikana said opposition had no chances of getting votes in Western because of lack of a clear manifesto.