•He appealed to the Western leaders to enlighten residents on the need to register and picking their candidates at the ballot.
•Mudavadi is in Oka with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya) and Gideon Moi (Kanu).
Image: TWITTER/ MUSALIA MUDAVADI
The number of votes one commands will be key in determining who flies the One Kenya Alliance flag, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has said.
Mudavadi on Tuesday appealed to Western residents to register as voters, saying they have the power to enhance his chances of being picked as Oka’s flag bearer.
He spoke on Mulembe FM. Mudavadi said the region could register 2.1 million new voters by the time Kenyans go to the elections next year.
He said the residents would enhance his chances of winning the presidency by registering in huge numbers.
“I appeal to Western Kenya to register as voters. If those who qualify register and support my candidature, don’t you think I will be the next president?" he posed.
The electoral body on Monday kicked off a 30-day mass voter registration exercise targeting at least six million new voters.
Mudavadi appealed to the Western leaders to enlighten residents on the need to register and picking their candidates at the ballot.
“The formula of picking a candidate in Oka is in numbers. If you want me to have a say in the coalition, I must have the numbers,” he said.
“If you stay at home and say Musalia should be picked as the candidate it will not be possible.”
Mudavadi is in Oka with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya) and Gideon Moi (Kanu).
All four principals have declared they will be taking a stab at the presidency come 2022. They agreed to consolidate their respective support bases as the country inches towards the General Elections.
During the 2017 elections, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma had 1.9 million registered voters.
Mudavadi said 1.2 million Western residents have national identity cards but have not registered as voters.
He said 900,000 have attained 18 years and above but do not have national identity cards.
“There are about 2.1 million residents who are not registered as voters. We cannot get a seat if we do not register as voters. How are we helping ourselves by not registering as voters,? he posed.
Kenya Population and Housing 2019 census showed the Luhya community, which is dominant in Kenya, has a population of 6.82 million second to the Kikuyu who are 8.14 million and Kalenjin at 6.35 million.
The three communities make up almost half of the Kenyan population (44.7 per cent) of 47.6 million.
Kalonzo believes he is the best candidate to fly Oka's flag in the 2022 presidential race.
The former vice president has further extended an olive branch to ODM leader Raila Odinga to join Oka and back him for the top seat.
Kalonzo says if all factors were to be taken into consideration, the three other Oka bosses should back him for the country's top job
Kanu last week endorsed Gideon Moi as its flagbearer.
West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio, an ally of Gideon believes Oka will pick the Kanu chairman as the flagbearer.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris