Suba North parliamentary aspirant Silas Jakakimba has ditched the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), citing consultations within President William Ruto and the late Raila Odinga’s broad-based political alliance.
The move marks a political shift in the 2027 parliamentary race, with Jakakimba abandoning his earlier plan to contest the seat on a UDA ticket in favour of seeking the ODM nomination.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, Jakakimba said consultations involving the leadership of both parties had informed his decision to switch political camps, arguing that his move reflected the aspirations of residents of Suba North.
He said he had initially secured support from grassroots residents across the constituency’s five wards to pursue the parliamentary seat on a UDA ticket, but changing political alignments following the cooperation between Ruto and Raila had prompted a rethink.
“Alignment consultations from and with the highest rank and file of our Broad-Based sister parties, the ruling UDA Party formation and the ODM Party, pursuant to that popular desire by the great people of Suba North, have today yielded to the necessary move,” he said.
Jakakimba described himself as a lifelong ODM member and a long-time associate of Raila, saying his decision to return to the party followed consultations and blessings from President Ruto and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga.
He also thanked ODM national chairperson Gladys Wanga, deputy party leader Simba Arati, secretary-general Catherine Omanyo and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed for welcoming him into the party.
The defection places Jakakimba within ODM’s political structures as he prepares to pursue the Suba North seat in the 2027 General Election.
He pledged to strengthen the party’s grassroots mobilisation in the constituency and participate in consultations aimed at consolidating support ahead of the election.
Jakakimba said his immediate priority would be mobilising residents to register for national identity cards and voter cards, as well as encouraging voter turnout.
He framed his political ambition around improving livelihoods, expanding public participation and changing the constituency’s approach to leadership and development.
His latest move comes against the backdrop of shifting political alliances following the rapprochement between Ruto and Raila, which has reshaped relationships between leaders who previously operated on opposing sides of the political divide.
