Kiambu Senator, Kimani Wamatangi, has defended his move to join Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Appearing on Citizen TV for the morning show on Thursday, March 17, the Jubilee Senator argued that UDA was the most popular party in his home county and that he was acting on the advice of the electorate.
Wamantagi joined Ruto’s party on Sunday, March 13, after being one of the fiercest critics of the Deputy President.
“The most popular party in Kiambu is UDA. I don’t have a problem with Jubilee, the people of Kiambu told me to move to UDA,” he stated.
Wamatangi, who serves as the Senate’s Majority Whip, stated that he was ready for any disciplinary action including being de-whipped.
“If any disciplinary action comes, it's welcome. I have been beholden to any position.”
Defending his move on not running as an independent candidate, the outspoken Senator argued that moving to UDA was on his own volition and that people have the right to make their decisions.
“Not running as an independent is an option, but not the only option,” he added, drawing example of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to endorse former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the country’s top seat.
“When the President spoke, he said he has served his term, he is about to go home but he thinks this is the best way to leave the country. He said he believes, in his opinion, leaving the country in the hands of Azimio La Umoja was the best decision. That is his position, and it is a respectable position. You will not go telling him that he betrayed so and so. You will just tell him that is his position and it is respectable.”
“So, if we have served and say the time has come and this is the way, it should be equally respectable,” he added, noting that he has been the last standing man in Jubilee.
Kimani, who is eyeing the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, will square it out with other seasoned politicians including the sitting Governor, James Nyoro, former governors Ferdinand Waititu and William Kabogo, and Chama Cha Kazi party leader, Moses Kuria.
All the Kiambu gubernatorial hopefuls, save for Nyoro, are in Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza camp.
