Former Meru governor, Kiraitu Murungi, has joined President-elect William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza alliance.
Ruto, on Friday, September 2, announced that Murungi's Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) will be part of the alliance after holding discussions where several issues were discussed.
"We welcome the Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) to Kenya Kwanza. Their resolve to work with us is an indication that leaders agree that the interests of Kenyans override our personal or party interests," Ruto stated.
Earlier that day, Murungi sent 13 members of the county assembly elected via his party to meet Ruto at his Karen home.
Kiraitu prior to the election supported Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate, Raila Odinga.
The former governor lost his first election in over three decades to an independent candidate, Kawira Mwangaza, who garnered 209,158 votes.
United Democratic Alliance gubernatorial candidate, Senator Mithika Linturi, was second with 183, 859. Kiraitu was third with 110,850 votes.
Kiraitu, prior to the elections, had stated that he was working on a decent exit from politics and planned to retire if he won the second term in 2022.
The President-elect has so far convinced several parties and independent candidates to join his alliance after he was declared president-elect in the concluded August 9 polls.
Recently, Ugenya MP David Ochieng and his Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party signed an agreement to align with the alliance and help push Ruto's agenda in the country.
However, residents of Ugenya were appalled by the drastic move and refused to be associated with Ruto.
Other reputable names that have shifted to Ruto's Kenya Kwanza include former Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana and Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba with his party the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
