Thika Member of Parliament (MP), Patrick ‘Jungle ‘ Wainaina has, on Thursday, February 3, officially announced his defection from Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
While speaking to the media in Thika, Wainaina, announced that he will not be contesting for the Kiambu County gubernatorial seat under UDA in the August 9 General Election.
The Thika MP has been missing from the UDA campaign trail since he was asked to foot an unwarranted bill left by the DP. In his address, the lawmaker explained that running for the seat on UDA would be his downfall.
“Those parties will throw you out, they will throw you away. If somebody wants to campaign here, let them campaign for their presidential vote, any other, let us be left to decide. Do not give your local leaders to the big parties, instead, give them to the local parties,” Wainaina stated.
He further noted that running using a national party would undermine his transparency as a leader since it would hinder him from making independent decisions. The Thika legislator revealed that he will look for a party that suits his values, or vie as an independent candidate.
“All I want is to be able to work openly and in transparency. I will look for a party that will be faithful or transparent, but if I do not get such a party, then I will run as an independent," he noted.
Wainaina’s fallout has been linked to the Ksh5 million bill he had to foot after the DP promised women and youth groups in Thika and Gatundu Ksh3 million and Ksh2 million respectively.
In a turn of events that left the MP shocked, Ruto told the youth that the money would be channeled through the Thika lawmaker. This prompted the business community to demand the money from the legislator, despite Ruto not honoring his pledge.
"I do not want to talk about that, it is very annoying,” the MP told a local daily during an interview in January.
However, on February 3, he confirmed that the Second-in-Command remitted the sum total of Ksh5 million to him as promised. Wainaina revealed that he ensured the money reached the people as intended.
"I do not want anyone spoiling the DPs name. I can guarantee that he sent all the money which I distributed in two batches. I sent out the money via mobile wallet and we even have records of the same," the MP confirmed.
Hi defection comes a day after Turkana South MP, James Lomenen announced his exit from UDA on February 2. Lomenen, who eyes the Turkana County gubernatorial seat, joined the newly formed UPYA Party led by Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ukur Yattani.
The two joined Kirinyaga Women Representative Wangui Ngirici, who defected from the party in December. Ngirici claimed that she was being bullied by some party officials, who were pushing her to abandon her gubernatorial bid in favour of the incumbent governor Anne Waiguru.
