Politicians whose defections in 2022 backfired

During the run-up to the August 9th, 2022, general election, Kenyans were treated to numerous political defections, with scores of politicians placing their bets on camps they hoped would clinch the presidency.

Political party hoping was the order of the day as seasoned politicians and non-starters sought camps where their interests and those of their communities were safe.

Here are some defections that backfired;

Wangui Ngirici

The former Kirinyaga Women Representative defected from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance Party in December 2021 over fears that the party would favour her arch-rival Anne Waiguru in the nominations.

Ngirici who was a founding member of the UDA party felt threatened after Waiguru joined Ruto’s camp after months of flirting with Raila’s Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition side.

The flamboyant politician vied for the Kirinyaga gubernatorial seat on an Independent ticket but lost to UDA’s Anne Waiguru. Her defection from Ruto’s camp turned out injurious to her political ambitions.

William Kabogo

After numerous complaints about being sidelined by some quarters in the Kenya Kwanza coalition, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo announced his departure from Ruto’s camp. Kabogo was disgruntled by what he termed as sibling rivalry in the Mount Kenya region.

Together with CS Moses Kuria, who would later soften his hard stance and rejoin Ruto’s fold, they co-authored a letter threatening to storm out of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Kuria and Kabogo, who were both angling for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, accused their partners of bulldozing fringe parties domiciled in the Mount Kenya region.

Kabogo’s move turned suicidal after he lost the Kiambu gubernatorial seat and missed out on a key position when Ruto formed his government. Before the revolt, Kabogo was part of the top brass of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

David Nkedianye

Former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye suffered a major setback after he ditched Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement Party for Jubilee. Nkedianye cited fears of rigging in the party’s primaries.

His move however triggered the departure of his main competitor Joseph Ole Lenku from the Jubilee party. Lenku capitalized on Nkedianye’s blunder and got himself the coveted ODM nomination ticket.

The two rivals would later face off in the gubernatorial contest with Lenku bagging a back-to-back victory.

Wycliffe Wangamati

Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati lost his seat after he ditched Wetangula’s Ford Kenya party for the Azimio coalition.

Wangamati was among Ford Kenya party members who wanted Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula out and former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi to take over the party leadership.

The former county head was however floored by the reigning Bungoma governor and former Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka. His move to ditch Wetang’ula’s party proved disastrous after the National Assembly Speaker stamped his authority as the kingmaker in the Bukusu-dominated county.

Omingo Magara

Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara resigned from his position as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Treasurer and party member in February 2022, citing lack of transparency and democracy ahead of the party primaries.

Magara’s move has however left him in the cold after he lost in the Kisii Senatorial seat and was later given a wide berth by President William Ruto in his State appointments.

Other defections that backfired;

After their failed attempt to overthrow Moses Wetang’ula as the Ford Kenya Party leader, a group of Bungoma leaders opted to chart a parallel political journey with the aim of snatching the vote-rich Bungoma county from the grip of the National Assembly Speaker.

Led by former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, the leaders joined the nascent Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) and defended their seats on the outfit’s tickets.

Former Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu and ex-Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi would however lose their seats to candidates fronted by Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya party.