By Judith Gicobi
Before the swearing-in ceremony for freshly elected leaders has even taken place, politicians affiliated with the Azimio La Umoja coalition have been defecting to Kenya Kwanza in a move that is perceived as aligning them with the ruling party.
After the General Election on August 9, William Samoei Ruto, the boss of Kenya Kwanza, was named the winner by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Members of Parliament-elect, as well as their senatorial, MCA, and Woman Rep counterparts, have reportedly been defecting because they are likely to have easy access to resources and can easily push for developments in their regions should Ruto be sworn in as President, according to nominated Senator Sylvia Kasanga.
“There is access to resources and you can push for road projects in the area you represent and you also have direct contact with he Executive,” Kasanga explained.
According to Kasanga, the ruling party provides more benefits and chances than the opposition since politicians often desire to see the places they represent well-served.
She pointed out that the Speaker of the National Assembly position is always held by the ruling party, and that person will fight for bills in Parliament and provide the party’s legislators with easy access to the Executive.
With 161 MPs compared to Azimio’s 159, Kenya Kwanza coalition now has a larger representation in the National Assembly.
Kasanga cautioned, however, that the wave poses a significant risk to politicians since they might not fulfill the promises they made to their constituents in order to gain the seats.
“When you get to the other side of political divide, then you disregard what it is that you campaigned on,” she added
