Kitutu Chache South Constituency Youth Ditch ODM for Jubilee

A section of youth leaders from Kisii County, Kitutu Chache South Constituency on Monday ditched Opposition Leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and joined President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee party.

The over 20 youth accused ODM of frustrating their efforts to create a free and democratic space for the youth.

The team noted that their main reason for defecting was because the Orange party had failed to resolve the issues they had raised.

The group led by Antony Kibagendi highlighted that the party leadership had ignored them and as such, they had decided to move to another party.

“It was my belief that ODM and NASA would provide free and democratic space for young and progressive politicians to compete with the old order. However, the party leadership knew very well that it was using us,” he stated.

The youth further indicated that they would campaign for President Kenyatta’s reelection and push the Jubilee Party agenda in Kisii County.

“Going forward, we will pursue what we believe in through the auspices of the Jubilee Party. Our efforts going forward will be to support the President and DP William Ruto,” Kibagendi explained.

Kibagendi sought the ODM ticket for the Kitutu Chache South parliamentary race, but lost in the primaries to Samuel Omwando.

Mr Omwando will now face off with incumbent Member of Parliament Richard Onyonka who is defending his seat on a Ford Kenya ticket.

The defection by the youth comes barely a week after President Kenyatta visited the area and asked the residents to support his re-election bid.