Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi ditches ODM, rejoins Ruto’s UDA party
By Substone Osoro, March 11, 2022
Deputy President William Ruto has on Friday March 11, 2022 welcomed Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi back to his fold, months after the deputy county chief ditched UDA for Raila’s Azimio La Umoja.
Maangi, who was elected on an ODM ticket, ditched the orange party for UDA before rejoining the Raila-led outfit in December 2021. The deputy county head will be seeking to supplant his boss James Ongwae come August 9th.
Ruto received Maangi and a host of other Gusii leaders at his official Karen residence, Nairobi.
“Karibu mheshimiwa Joash Maangi, Dr Andrew Maubi and Wakili Migos Ogamba to the Hustler Nation. You are joining the team that believes in Kenya kwanza and empowering ordinary people. Wishing you success in your bids for several seats in Kisii County,” Ruto said.
Maangi’s shift of allegiance comes against the backdrop of the exit of ex-UDA party National Treasurer Omingo Magara.
In the past few weeks, several Gusii leaders have ditched Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza camp for the Raila-led Azimio La Umoja movement. Ruto’s ex-Director of Youth Affairs Anthony Kibagendi was among the notable leaders who recently joined the Azimio camp.