Ex-Laikipia North MP Lempurkel ditches ODM after missing out on EALA job

Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel has quit the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Speaking at Entiani in Narok, Lempurkel said he resigned from the Raila Odinga-led party after missing out on the list of nominees fronted to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

According to the outspoken former legislator, Raila had promised to nominate him to the regional assembly during the campaign period.

He said he was, however, disappointed when the ODM party nominated the former Prime Minister's daughter Winnie Odinga to the assembly, instead of him.

“I was disappointed by Raila’s move to nominate his daughter Winnie instead of me. I have stood with him for a long time. He had assured me during the campaign period that one of the EALA slots will be given to me,” Lempurkel said during the graduation ceremony for Ita ole Kiok.

While accusing Raila of dishonesty, Lempurkel revealed that he had shifted allegiance to President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.

He heaped praises on the Head of State over recent state appointments, saying the Maasai community was well represented in the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"What Ruto has done to the Maa nation is unbelievable," he remarked.

“The Maa nation is contented with the appointment of a Cabinet Secretary, two Principal Secretaries, State House comptroller and other appointments. This has made me change my mind and shift political allegiance to the head of state because, at the end of the day, it is service delivery to the people, not politics,” he added.

Lumpurkel, who lost the Laikipia North MP seat in 2017, unsuccessfully tried to make a comeback in the August 9 elections.

He finished third in the contest won by Sarah Lekorere of the Jubilee party.