Jakakimba Says He Will Contest Suba North MP Seat on ODM Ticket After Moving from UDA

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 2 – Former aide to Raila Odinga Silas Jakakimba has announced his departure from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to join the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), declaring his intention to contest the Suba North parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket in the 2027 General Election.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, Jakakimba said the decision followed consultations within the broad-based political arrangement and reflected what he described as the aspirations of residents of Suba North.

He said he had initially intended to contest the seat on a UDA ticket after conducting grassroots consultations across the constituency.

“For the four years, I have had the rare privilege and honour to witness firsthand, in the five wards across Suba North Constituency, our people’s yearning for an urgent re-orientation of the development and leadership soft-ware that would power a positive change in the people’s livelihoods on the ground,” he said, adding that the decision is supported by UDA party leader President William Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Odinga.

Jakakimba added that the consultations had given him the backing to seek the parliamentary seat.

“This followed my several Grassroots Consultative Engagements where our folks gave me the blessings to declare my intention to run for the Suba North parliamentary seat on UDA ticket,” he said.

He said the decision to move to ODM followed consultations involving leaders of the two parties, arguing that the broad-based arrangement had created an opportunity to pursue his political ambition on the ODM platform.

“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 to execute our aspiration to represent the People of Suba North Constituency, still within the Broad-Based Family and on the Orange Democratic Movement Party platform,” he said.

Jakakimba also disclosed that he had received the blessings of President William Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga before making the transition.

“I am honoured that prior to today’s transition, I have benefited directly from full blessings, counsel and wisdom of my current Mentors, UDA Party Leader, Excellency The President William Ruto and ODM Party Leader HE Hon. Dr. Oburu Oginga,” he said.

He further expressed gratitude to ODM leaders, including party 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.

Jakakimba said he would work to strengthen ODM’s grassroots presence in Suba North as he pursues the parliamentary seat.

“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 pledged to continue engaging residents through grassroots consultative forums, saying his leadership approach would prioritise “presence, inclusion, improvement of livelihoods and taking Suba North to The Next Level”.

In the interim, Jakakimba said he would mobilise residents to register for national identity cards and voter registration ahead of the next General Election.

“I will be keener on mobilizing our folks to keep registering for IDs, Voter’s Cards and ultimately – to Get Out The Vote,” he said.