The Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) members allied to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi decamped to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party on Thursday.
Raila Odinga, ODM's party leader, received the 27 members in Nairobi. The leaders claimed that they were unsatisfied by being part of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
According to the politicians who changed loyalty, only Kingi's voice was heard and involved in crucial government matters despite them being part of the party.
John Mwamutsi, a former Member of the County Assembly thus complained that Kenya Kwanza lacked inclusivity.
Additionally, the leaders explained that one of the reasons they decamped to ODM was due to the unfulfilled promises made by President William Ruto.
The politicians lauded Raila for allowing them to join ODM, a party they argued was looking out for the well-being of Kenyans.
Some argued that they were forced into joining Kenya Kwanza as they followed their party leader, Amason Kingi who decamped before the 2022 General Election.
"He came and told us all of us are going into Kenya Kwanza. I tell you were all shocked since he had assured us PAA would never join hands with Ruto," one of the members stated.
Meanwhile, the party's youth leader Samir Nyundo handed over the keys to all PAA offices across the country as a signing decamping to ODM.
Raila presented the members with official ODM merchandise including a cap and a sash.
ODM Secretary General and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna later announced plans to hold an after-party to fully integrate and welcome the new members to the opposition. He noted that the move will strengthen ODM's influence in Kilifi County.
Notably, ODM embarked on a nationwide drive to recruit new members ahead of the party elections scheduled for April.
