The rivalry between Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC party and Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga’s PPK has intensified after an ANC official dismissed the latter as a “joy rider”.
The Progressive Party of Kenya has said it is in talks with Amani National Congress to form a coalition.
But ANC denies negotiating. ANC secretary general Godfrey Osotsi on Saturday said ANC leaders are concentrating on popularising the party and will only consider political agreements next year.
Akaranga’s political strategist Khalid Njiraini said Osotsi is trying to block the merger “because he doesn’t want Akaranga and Mudavadi to work together”.
He said: “PPK can drop the discussions between the two leaders and shop for an alliance elsewhere, including Cord or Jubilee, if ANC is not interested in the proposed marriage.”
“We were disappointed to hear Osotsi has dismissed the proposed marriage. Mudavadi and the governor have been holding talks for three months now.”
Njiriani said Osotsi represents a clique of ANC leaders worried they will become irrelevant after the union. He said the talks between Mudavadi and Akaranga are beyond Osotsi.
Akaranga has asked ANC not to field a candidate to run against him for governor.
He also wants Mudavadi to urge all 25 MCAs in ANC to join PPK and seek re-election through the party.
Osotsi said: “We were shocked when we heard the governor is deceiving people, saying ANC is in a coalition with PPK and that ANC will not field candidates for the ward and governor’s seats in 2017. We disown such an agreement.”
Currently PPK has only one elected MCA in the county assembly.
