Kisii Deputy Governor, Joash Maangi, and a long time ally of Deputy President William Ruto has dumped the country's second in command for Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) Raila Odinga.
Maangi previously made appearances at Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) events and expressed his support for the DP.
He has, however, been conspicuously missing in these events in the recent past, casting aspersions on whether he still associates himself with the Deputy President or not.
Notably, he skipped the Deputy President’s rallies in Nyaribari Masaba, Nyaribari Chache, Bobasi and Itibo Markets in Kisii on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, and opted for the Azimio La Umoja National Convention on Friday, December 10, at the Kasarani Stadium.
The Kasarani event saw Raila officially launch his 2022 presidential bid as he seeks to become the country's fifth Head of State.
Speaking to Standard Digital, Maangi attributed his move to mounting pressure from his constituents, as much as he would have loved to popularize UDA in the region.
“I have always been in ODM. You know what it means to be in ODM party in the Kisii region,” said the Deputy Governor.
Maangi has openly expressed intent in succeeding Governor James Ongwae in the upcoming polls.
The duo was elected for the first time in 2013 and won re-election in 2017 on an ODM ticket.
He holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from the University of Nairobi and obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
He started his career in Kenya in 1991 as a law pupil in the firm of Mugambi & Ali Advocates. He later founded the law firm of Maangi & Company Advocates where he was principal partner until 1997 when he relocated to the United States.
