This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
Published on October 1, 2019, Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa has made a surprise move by rejoining the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after months of dalliance with Deputy President William Ruto's faction of the ruling party.
According to Communications Director Philip Etale, Jumwa attended a Parliamentary Group meeting at County Hall chaired by Party Leader Raila Odinga and has vowed to campaign for Bernard Okoth in Kibra.
Etale posted photos showing Jumwa smiling with Odinga and other ODM members, but the vocal lawmaker was unavailable for comment.
However, ODM later deleted the tweet announcing the reunion with Jumwa, sparking curiosity among followers.
It is worth noting that Jumwa was elected on an ODM ticket in 2017 but gravitated towards the Jubilee Party in the past two years, openly campaigning for DP Ruto to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Her decision to rejoin ODM is seen as a blow to DP Ruto, who had emerged as one of his pointmen in the coast region as he prepares his bid for presidency in 2022.
For Raila, this move is a win of sorts as the coming general election slowly shapes into a contest between him and the DP.
