Silas Jakakimba, a man who worked as a close aide of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for over 19 years, has officially joined the United Democratic Alliance party (UDA).
In a statement on Tuesday, Jakakimba announced his move noting that it would allow him to contribute actively towards the realization of the ‘Plan’ as envisaged by President William Ruto.
“Today, I join the UDA formation willingly, aware of the work ahead. I accordingly thank my Brother Hon. Malala and the Party Secretariat for the warm welcome, and hereby declare to the Party Secretary-General that I am available on the instant for any assignment,” Jakakiimba said.
The former personal assistant to Raila Odinga made the announcement exactly one year after he left Raila’s side and made his allegiance to the ruling party public.
While explaining the reason behind his shift of allegiance, Jakakimba sought to address questions about why he had decided to “betray” his boss of many years by shifting camps.
According to him, Kenya’s democracy has matured enough to the extent of realizing that loyalty did not mean a “lifetime role”.
Instead, he urged democrats to acknowledge that “it is more important and urgent, to remain eternally loyal to democratic ideals and attendant principles of a strong and accountable governance”.
He asserted that Raila’s era as a political big wig in the country had been overtaken by events and restated his previous stance asking the former Prime Minister to step back from active politics.
However, he appreciated Ruto’s move to endorse his former boss as Kenya’s flagbearer for the African Union Commission (AUC) role.
“I have severally, in the past year, expressed my strong belief that Baba needs to step back from the rigors of local politics and focus on a continental assignment,” Jakakiimba said in the press conference.
“I am happy that President Ruto has deemed it fit and in the broader geopolitical interests of the Nation premised on a need to posture Africa’s potential to the rest of the world – to front the Former PM as a candidate for AUC Chairmanship. Jakom has done his bit locally, has had his chances and even within ODM, leave alone Azimio, the discussion now is.”
He went on to recount his journey and association with the ruling party since his resignation as Raila’s aide, noting that President Ruto had proven to be a deliberate and intentional leader keen on taking Kenya to the next level.
Regarding the role he would play as an active UDA member, Jakakiimba said he was looking to join the Nyanza leaders to mobilize, popularize and even contest for elections on the UDA platform.