Malala welcomes Kidero, other Luo leaders to UDA

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Malala said that the decision to rope in the leaders was reached after dialogue between the two parties.

"The leaders you see here have joined UDA. They are echoing our president on the need to have a national party," he said. 

SG Malala added that the move will aid in mending the rift among Kenyans and allow everyone to benefit from the state's development agenda.

"Leaders must be bold enough to overcome the little barriers dividing us. We cannot have part of the country left behind in the development agenda," he said.

Malala added that the same trajectory shall be taken to bring more leaders from other parts of the country on board.

"On behalf of the president, I proudly state that in our quest to give UDA a national outlook, we decided to start with Kisumu band this will be replicated across the country," he noted.

Speaking on behalf of the team, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero stated that they are delighted in joining the ruling party which is committed to serving the nation unlike the party they are exiting "which is only interested in chaos".

"We are happy to be here because we have chosen the oath of light. It is a path that's visionary in nature rather than mercenary in nature,' said Kidero.

"When there's maandamano it is only the common folk who suffer. Maandamano is remaining to be a Luo affair. We will not participate in it."

Kidero led a team of more than 30 leaders including former governors Okoth Obado (Migori) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu).

Others were Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency Chairman Odoyo Owidi and former MPs Martin Ogindo, Rose Nyamunga, Nicholas Gumbo and Edick Anyanga.