United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on Tuesday welcomed key Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) party officials in Kisumu County into the party as its foot forward to consolidate its support base in the Nyanza region.

Kisumu UDA party luminary James Oyolo, keen to clinch the Kisumu County UDA party chairman position in the looming party grassroots elections in December, welcomed the defectors into the party.

“This team is made up of diehard supporters of KANU, I know their skills at the grassroots level and their contribution will be valuable to this party,” he said.

Less than two weeks had passed when Prof. Ayiecho Olweny of the former Kisumu County ODM party and several Orange officials defected to the UDA party.

Oyolo declared that he is prepared to build a strong foundation for the UDA party in the county and that he will not get tired of recruiting new members.

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“Today I am happy that our party is welcoming new members from the oldest party in this country, we want more support to increase votes for President William Ruto in the 2027 general election,” he said.

Former Kisumu East KANU Chairman Tom Oyoo, who led several officials to defect, said Kenya is a multiparty state and their move should not be questioned.

Oyoo said their intention to defect is not about selfish interest but for the people's interest.

“We’re joining the working government, we won’t go back to the KANU party, we will remain focused,” he added.

The defectors said President Ruto was part of them in KANU and they don’t have any regrets joining him in the UDA party.

“President Ruto is our son and brother, we were brought up in KANU,” they said.

Former Kisumu West Sub County chairman Aum Ndalo, said they will walk with the party as they push for the development agenda of the county.

Aum said President Ruto is now the father of the nation and all Kenyans should rally behind him.

“This support will go a long way to 2027 so that we increase more votes for the President as compared to the 2022 general election,” he said.