Join Raila's Azimio or risk political irrelevance, Ottichilo to Mudavadi

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo has urged ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi to join Azimio La Umoja Movement if he wants to remain relevant.

Speaking in Mungoma ward in Vihiga constituency on Sunday,  Ottichilo said Mudavadi risks remaining in the political cold if he insists on vying for the presidency.

He said the ANC leader should open his eyes and see where the political current is flowing and make a decision before he is swept away.

The governor also dismissed the narrative of dying with one of their own saying such narratives will land them in political orphanage.

"The upcoming presidential election is a two horse race between ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto. Mudavadi should not be mislead that he is a third force. He should jump into Azimio to survive," Ottichilo said.

The governor said Mudavadi stands a high chance of getting the blessings from Raila if he joins Azimio.

He said it is bad for Mudavadi to ditch Raila at the last minute after supporting him for 10 years.

Otichilo received Mungoma ward MCA Wycliffe Masini who decamped from ANC to join Azimio.

Masini said he cannot board a vehicle that will land him into political obscurity.

"I cannot follow the wrong route because I am being led by my brother  who is politically weak and will land me into opposition which I am not ready for," Masini said.

Ottichilo who is leading Azimio la Umoja campaigns in Vihiga said he is ready to welcome all politicians seeking to work with Raila.

Mudavadi who is in One Kenya Alliance with Kalonzo Musyoka (wiper), Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya) and Gideon Moi (Kanu) has said he will make a major announcement on his political direction during the ANC National Delegates Convention on January 23.

The ANC leader is under pressure from his followers to join either Ruto's UDA or Azimio la Umoja.

Already, different factions have emerged in ANC with one group aligning to Raila's camp while the other one is pushing for political union with Ruto.

However, there is a group that wants Mudavadi to remain in Oka.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Oscar Nabulindo (Matungu), Oku Kaunya (Teso North) and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi have already joined Raila’s Azimio la Umoja.

Those who have been pushing Mudavadi to battle for the presidential ticket in Oka are led by Vihiga Woman Rep Beatrice Adagala, Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Ernest Ogesi (Vihiga), Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya).

Agoi anticipates a re-run in this year's presidential election and says Mudavadi may have to decide to back a candidate of his choice in case of a re-run.

“There is a possibility of re-run and that will be the right time for Mudavadi to decide who to join hands with,” Agoi said.