Kakamega county deputy governor-elect Ayub Savula has made outrageous claims about being compelled to back the Azimio la Umoja coalition party.
Speaking on Saturday at a burial in Lumakanda, Savula declared that despite his unwavering support for the incoming president, William Ruto, he had to switch to Raila Odinga’s side after being threatened with prosecution for corruption.
He claimed that after his family became involved in the altercation and police from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations started making arrests, he was left with no choice but to comply.
“I was coerced to support Azimio and that is the truth. I decided to persevere because when they arrest me and my wives, who will pay the bail,” Savula stated.
Read: Savula Threatens to Lead Demos Against DP Ruto For Insulting CS Wamalwa
Savula urged Dr Ruto not to despise those who disagreed with him. For the benefit of the citizens of Kakamega County, he former Lugari MP said, he was prepared to cooperate with the incoming administration.
Additionally, he made it clear that he had spoken with Raila about his position and requested him to make himself accessible to nurture the young leaders who had won the August 9 general election.
“I will work with the president so that the country can move on. I have spoken to my boss who is now in Zanzibar and told him to take a back seat, and advise us because the leadership is now in the hands of the youth,” he added.
Meanwhile, immediate former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has chastised leaders elected under Azimio for defecting to Dr Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza.
“This is very unfortunate and if they are being enticed to move, then it is an election fraud because you cannot be talking about Azimio barely a week ago then move to Kenya Kwanza because you want favours. Those are cheap leaders,” Oparanya said.
Oparanya warned Dr Ruto against attempting to stifle the opposition in order to make the nation a one-party state. He believed that in addition to respect, the opposition also needs adequate funding to carry out its watchdog function.
Savula joined Azimio in December 2021, after he ditched Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC).
“We have two men, Ruto in Raila. I have not defected from ANC, but I have officially decamped to Azimio la Umoja, I denounce my membership from OKA,” he explained.
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