Jackline Okanya Malala, the stepmother of Kakamega Senator, Cleophas Malala, on Wednesday, August 3, defected from the Kenya Kwanza coalition to the Azimio la Umoja outfit led by presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
While addressing a rally at Bukhungu stadium, Kakamega county, Jackline explained that her move was necessitated by the need to solicit votes for Raila, particularly within the county.
She touted Kakamega Gubernatorial candidate, Fernandes Barasa and his running mate, Ayub Savula as the best team to take over the leadership of the county government after the August 9 poll.
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"I am Jackline Okanya Malala and I am excited to leave Kenya Kwisha (Kenya Kwanza) coalition and join Azimio. I want to help my incoming governor (Fernandes) Barasa and Savula so that the country can go forward."
"I want to assure Baba not to worry because Mumias West will be all Azimio," she stated much to the applause of the crowd.
Okanya, who is the parliamentary candidate for Mumias West, is vying under the Amani National Congress (ANC) party ticket.
In what was seen as a new wave of defections just days before the August 9 poll, the coalitions are jostling to poach influential politicians to join their camps.
On Saturday, July 30, former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko defected from Azimio to the Kenya Kwanza coalition. Sonko noted that the decision came down after an intense-thought process.
"It is with a heavy heart that I come to you this morning. You all know what has been going on and how I have been pushed to the wall trying to do my best for you my people of Mombasa."
"Time is not on our side and I have had to sit down as a leader, think about what would be best for my people and I have come to the realisation that I should work with a government that shares the same vision for my people as I and one that benefits them," read part of Sonko's statement.
On the other hand, Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Maliti decamped from Kenya Kwanza to the Azimio coalition. Maliti dropped his Gubernatorial bid for Machakos county and instead supported Azimio's Wavinya Ndeti.
"My great people of Machakos, thank you for your overwhelming support so far. We are in this race to WIN undeterred. I am a Man on a mission. Stay put," he stated at the time.
