Retired Migori governor Okoth Obado has officially joined the ruling United Democratic Alliance party, explaining how he suffered during the 2022 campaigns.
The politician said on Thursday that he was persecuted and tormented for supporting President William Ruto in the last polls.
Speaking at the Weston Hotel, Nairobi where he was received into UDA by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Obado said he refused to be part of the political schemes that were blocking Ruto's presidency.
''If you have to count those who suffered for their different political persuasions, then I am sure I am one of them,'' the ex-governor said.
Obado said he fully subscribes to the ideals and the philosophy of UDA led by the President.
''I am not new in this alliance, in 2022 I was part and parcel of the team that was coordinating your [UDA]affairs in the Nyanza region, I was doing it in the Kenya Kwanza coalition,'' he said.
''Today I join the United Democratic Alliance. If you are a united people then things will prevail, there will be tranquility.''
Obado explained that many of the admirers of Ruto from Luo Nyanza shunned his presidential bid because of the political persecution they were being taken through by the deep state.
''It was difficult for you but it was equally difficult for me, but I would not fall into that trap of blackmail and intimidation,'' he said.
''I must thank the almighty lord that despite all those pressures from the deep state, God saw it fit to put you[Gachagua]and our beloved president in power.''
