Turkana South MP James Lomenen decamps from Ruto's UDA party

Turkana South Member of Parliament  James Lomenen has ditched the Deputy President William Ruto-led UDA party for the newly formed UPYA party.

The lawmaker made the shift on Tuesday and was received by the UPYA party leader and Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani.

UPYA party was formed in September last year to represent the Northern Kenya leaders.

Lomenen has already declared interest in the Turkana Gubernatorial seat and is hoping to vie under the UPYA party which is allied to the Azimio la Umoja Movement led by Raila Odinga.

The battle for the county’s top seat to succeed the incumbent governor, Josphat Nanok will see Lomenen lock horns with Energy CS John Munyes who is also part of the Azimio coalition.

Governor Nanok decamped from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to UDA early last year and is the current coordinator of campaigns in the party.