By GPC News Desk
Suba North parliamentary aspirant Silas Jakakimba has defected from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), citing growing support for the broad-based political arrangement.
Jakakimba announced the move on Monday, saying consultations involving senior leaders from both parties had paved the way for his transition to ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“The desire by our folks to front a more perfect leadership aspiration platform premised on the Broad-Based Family has only increased ten-fold in the past year,” he said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
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He said the decision followed consultations with leaders from the ruling UDA and ODM, adding that his political ambition to represent Suba North would remain anchored in the broad-based government arrangement.
Jakakimba, who described himself as a lifelong member of ODM and a longtime understudy of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, said he had received the blessings of President William Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga before making the switch.
“I have benefited directly from full blessings, counsel and wisdom of my current mentors, UDA Party Leader, His Excellency President William Ruto and ODM Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga,” he said.
He also thanked ODM leaders, including party chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leader and Kisii Governor Simba Arati, Secretary-General Catherine Omanyo and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, for welcoming him into the party.
Jakakimba pledged to strengthen ODM’s grassroots structures in Suba North and work towards securing the parliamentary seat for the party.
“I will do everything possibly achievable to support all efforts aimed at strengthening the ODM Party and its ground machine in Suba North to deliver the seat,” he said.
He added that he would intensify grassroots consultations across the constituency’s five wards, focusing on leadership, inclusion and improving livelihoods.
In the interim, Jakakimba said he would mobilise residents to register for national identity cards and voter registration, as part of efforts to boost electoral participation ahead of the polls.
He said his political journey over the past four years had involved consultations with residents, who had expressed the need for a change in leadership and a fresh approach to development.
Jakakimba had previously declared his intention to contest the Suba North parliamentary seat on a UDA ticket.
