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A section of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party members and supporters in Trans Nzoia County have termed the decision taken by former UDA National Vice Chairperson Kipruto Arap Kirwa, to defect to Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition party, as an inconsequential move.

In an interview to People Daily Digital, Governance and Leadership expert Eliud Tormoi said Kirwa’s move has confirmed their long-held fears.

“He has always been playing the safe card, what he wanted to do in Kenya Kwanza Alliance didn’t succeed, he has left. It is well with Kenya Kwanza in Trans Nzoia County,” Tormoi said.

Tormoi claimed the former Agriculture Cabinet Minister has always been against the interests of the Kalenjin community and that his move is an exercise in futility.

“He has never been one of us for the last 30 years when he was the Member of Parliament for Cherang’any constituency, we are not worried at all,” he added.

Happy to welcome my brother Kipruto Kirwa to the winning team. pic.twitter.com/Khiekc6wUR

— Eugene L. Wamalwa (@EugeneLWamalwa) May 29, 2022

Effect of Kirwa’s Defection

Simon Rotich, a former National Government Constituency Development Fund manager in Cherang’any constituency said Kirwa’s decision will not affect UDA’s strength and influence in the country.

“Although it is a sign of bad blood between the top leadership of UDA, his defection does not have any effect on our national party,” Rotich said.

Milcah Rotich, a political analyst, claimed Kirwa was a mole in UDA and his exit calls for celebration in the party.

“We were wondering how Kirwa rose to the position of National Vice Chairperson, we knew him as a mole. We are now happy that he has left our house,” she said.

Kirwa had been accused of interfering with UDA party primaries in March this year.

Philemon Samoei, the only UDA gubernatorial candidate in Trans Nzoia, alleged that Kirwa denied him the party’s nomination certificate.