Defection 2007:John Koech to ODM

From: Nicholas Mireri

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Minister defects from PNU to ODM

By NATION Reporter

Cabinet minister John Koech has defected from the Party of National Unity (PNU) to the Raila led ODM party.

Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, the Minister for East African Co-operation however said he would not resign from his cabinet post.

The minister's defection comes barely a month since the formation of the PNU.

Mr Koech however insisted that he will not resign from his Cabinet post, saying that even president Kibaki defected to the PNU and never resigned.

The Chepalungu MP was elected on a Kanu ticket.

Mr John Koech has been appointed to the Cabinet twice before and twice he has been sacked over his independent views. He comes across as a maverick who holds strong views on almost everything.

Though a member of Kanu, Koech has repeatedly stepped outside his party line to criticise its past leadership and policies. Observers now wait to see if the president will sack him.