Former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra dumps Raila in favour of Ruto
Former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra has decamped from Azimio coalition and joined the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration.
The medical doctor-cum-businessman on May 17, 2023, led a section of professionals and businessmen from the Asian community to defect to the ruling party.
He was formally received by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Cleo Malala at the party headquarters in Nairobi.
“Please forgive me for the mistake I made. I will be a loyal member and I thank God I am now back home and I got my family back home,” said the former lawmaker.
“I confess the mistake and plunder I made. I chose the wrong party and direction but for today God sent me where I belong . . . . we will now work together to strengthen the party,” said Mr Mishra.
The former MP also praised the President William Ruto as the visionary leader even as he asked other leaders to give him time to deliver on his programs.
In the run up to the August elections, Mr Mishra defended his seat as an independent but lost to Mr Julius Rutto of United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
In retaliation, President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua led a campaign urging the electorate to reject Mr Mishra and other independent candidates in the Rift Valley and elect UDA candidates.
“I want to besiege you all residents of Kesses, make a choice between milk man or red pepper man. We want to have more leaders to implement our agenda,” said Dr Ruto at a rally in Kesses ahead of general elections in August 2022.
Mr Mishra owns the Mediheal Group of Hospitals that has its facilities in Elodret, Nakuru and Nairobi and other countries.
Mr Malala said that they are ready to welcome more leaders to the party even as they work towards rolling out mass registration across the country.
“Mr Mishra has seen the light and we want to welcome him to our party. We want to urge anyone who is still Azimio to borrow and jump quickly and join Kenya Kwanza,” said Mr Malala.
Mr Malala said that the political party was now open to having more members of the Kenyan-Asian community, noting that it was part of affirmative action to have an inclusive government.
“Our party is mindful of expanding opportunities and participation of all the minority communities that include the Kenya-Asian community in the development agenda. I appreciate that you are among top business people and captains of diverse sectors of economy in our country,” he added.
Mr Malala further said that they are keen to tap on the expertise of the leading business people to tackle the current economic situation and grow the economy.
“As you are aware, we have economic problems at the moment and we need the great minds of all business gurus. We are going to tap on this expertise so that we implement our agenda,” he explained.