The UDFP Western region cordinator officially opens the Malava Constituency party office. Photo I John Kabaka

As Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi holds a political rally in Mombasa today in Mombasa at Tononoka Grounds, his United Democratic Forum Party received a boost when various members of political parties in Malava constituency ditched their parties to rally behind Musalia in his new political vehicle.

More than 250 members from a number of parties including ODM announced that they had formally defected to UDF and vowed to support Mudavadi’s bid to be the 4th president of the land.

“I today as an ODM councilor ditch my party to join UDFP as a party of choice, it is a party of the people by the people and with a future, it listen to everyone and that is why I have made my choice,” Philip Munyolo, a Mukai ward councilor.

The members said Musalia was the only common factor that can bring together all Kenyans not only in Western region but the whole nation.

The residents who did this upon the coming together of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa and Lugari Mp Cyrus Jirongo, urged the two to declare their support for Mudavadi.

The occasion was also attended by several aspirants for different positions stipulated in the new constitution saying they will go for the posts on the UDFP tickets.

The defectors were received by the UDF interim officials from, Malava constituency, the entire Kakamega County, Vihiga County led by the party’s Western region coordinator Edward Omung’ala.

On the same event the party opened its new office in the constituency, making it the very first constituency party office in the larger Kakamega County.

“The opening of this constituency office marks a new beginning for the party in this constituency, this is a people’s office and we want it to serve people to the fullest,” said Omung’ala when he officiated the opening of the office.

He said the a party will offer help to the disabled and even sponsor them materially to make sure they compete well for the elective posts on the party ticket.

“My office will take care of the physically challenged, youth and women to make sure they have a level competing ground with their able colleagues in the party, we not just a party and that’s why we are coming to you with a difference, we will even take the disabled for training especially public speaking to help them reach the world boldly,” said the regional coordinator.

Speaking during the same event, the party’s Director of operations and Logistics Geoffrey Nasiali urged the government to lift its decision to charge everyone who has lost his or her identity card Kshs 300 for a replacement.

“The imposed Kshs 300 for an ID replacement is not fair for Kenyans, it too much I can say, identity card issuance should be free because many of those who have lost the document are jobless, the government should indeed do nothing and waive the charges,” said Nasiali.

The defection of member of other parties in Malava, including ODM members happens few days after their counterparts Lugari and Lurambi did exactly the same thing in show of support of Musalia Mudavadi’s bid to succeed President Mwai Kibaki at the house on the hill.