Nasa leader Raila Odinga has suffered a major blow after his main point man in Meru County ditched the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap party.

Renowned lawyer Gitobu Imanyara has now decided he will seek to recapture the Central Imenti parliamentary seat on a Maendeleo Chap Chap ticket.

He has been Raila’s staunch supporter in a region which has predominantly voted first for Mwai Kibaki throughout his tenure and in 2013 President Uhuru Kenyatta inherited the vote-rich region of upper Eastern.

Read Also: Uhuru's ally Mwiria ditches Jubilee for Maendeleo Chap Chap

Imanyara was given the green light from Meru’s most “powerful” organ the Njuri Ncheke council of elders at his home following a closed-door meeting with the leaders.

Political career

Imanyara lost the Senate race in 2013 to the current Senator Kiraitu Muriungi and has firmly set his eyes on the National Assembly.

He was first elected to Parliament in 1997, lost in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007.

Earlier, the former MP said he will be talking to the President, opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi before choosing a party.

"As a leader and resident of Meru, I have realised that some leaders have made promises that are never delivered. I want to know what the parties have to offer before committing myself," he said.

He will now face incumbent Gideon Mwiti, Meru County Secretary Gideon Kimathi, Land Development and Governance Institute executive director Mwenda Makathimo, and Mr Moses Nthurima, an official of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) in the race for MP.