Mudavadi returns to Mt Kenya to woo voters

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi returns to Mt Kenya on Saturday in a charm offensive to endear himself to residents of the vote-rich region.

Mudavadi will be in Murang'a County for the homecoming of ANC secretary-general Simon Kamau Gikuru, who was unveiled in the region during his tour of Meru on September 19.

The homecoming will be held at Kiawambeu Primary School in Kiharu Constituency.

It comes a day after Mudavadi and his co-principals in One Kenya Alliance- Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya), Gideon Moi (Kanu) and Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) were hosted at a luncheon by the Mt Kenya Foundation, a group of influential businessmen from the region.

During the meeting held at a Nairobi hotel, Oka leaders appealed to the region to rally behind them in next year's elections.

Mudavadi's visit to Murang'a will be the third in the county in the recent past. Members of the Mt Kenya Foundation are dominantly from Murang’a.

Saturday will be the 10th time in four months the ANC party leader will have visited the Mountain.

He camped in Meru for two days and held meetings with area governor Kiraitu Murungi, MCAs, business stakeholders and professionals.

He spoke about reviving the economy and putting the miraa trade an agenda of his government.

During his tours of the region, Mudavadi has held meetings with governors Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), James Nyoro (Kiambu) and Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua) and a host of legislators from the area.

Mudavadi is positioning himself as Mt Kenya's safest pair of hands to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He has been assuring Uhuru's backyard that they should not worry as he has nothing to revenge against. He has also been assuring residents that reviving and growing the economy would top his agenda.

Mudavadi maintains that he has built long-standing friendly ties with Mt Kenya people since he joined politics. He says he has neither offended the region nor has the vote-rich region upset him.

Mudavadi says Mt Kenya is a critical region in Kenyan politics, especially at this juncture when the polls are around the corner.

Edited by D Tarus