ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi faces tough political options even as he promises to make an earthmoving announcement on Sunday.
Mudavadi has taken to social media for the countdown to his party’s National Delegates Congress at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi.
“The countdown begins. Tukutane Bomas (let's meet at Bomas),” Mudavadi posted on his Twitter account.
Mudavadi has told his supporters to brace for a major announcement, which will give him the mandate to spearhead and engage in any coalition arrangement that will benefit Kenyans and the party.
The ANC leader has five clear options; contest for the top seat on ANC, vie on One Kenya Alliance ticket, support another Oka principal, back ODM leader Raila Odinga or rally behind Deputy President William Ruto.
Mudavadi’s expected announcement has triggered curiosity among Kenyans and anxiety for his supporters since he has consistently expressed his desire to go all the way to the ballot.
His Oka counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) has said his name will be on the ballot. Other principals Gideon Moi (Kanu) and Moses Wetangúla (Ford Kenya) have been endorsed by their parties for the top seat.
Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito said Mudavadi, as the most experienced politician from Western, should stop punishing the community with his indecisiveness.
“I do not see any earth-shaking announcement from Mudavadi. At most, only ANC will be shaken. We need him to be decisive and give the community direction,” he said.
He told Mudavadi to be careful not to make mistakes similar to the ones he made in the run-up to the 2002 elections.
“ANC is already shaken. Musalia should come to Azimio where he has a brighter future,” he said.
Political analyst Fred Sasia said the big announcement would be for Mudavadi to state if he will quit Oka to go alone if the formation does not pick him as its flagbearer.
He said another possible announcement would be for the ANC leader to say he is teaming up with Azimio la Umoja.
“We know the ODM leader has said before that he will eventually unite with his former Nasa allies,” Sasia said.
Political commentator Daniel Orogo, however, said Mudavadi will not make any surprise announcement.
“Mudavadi is just going to say he is going all the way to the ballot,” he said.
Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo, who was elected on ANC ticket has been urging Mudavadi to join Raila.
After joining the Azimio La Umoja Movement, Nabulindo says he been conducting small opinion polls in his constituency to find out where residents want Mudavadi to head.
Nabulindo says residents are not ready to support Mudavadi if he joins Deputy President William Ruto.
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka has told Mudavadi that his political future would be brighter if he was part of Raila’s Azimio la Umoja Movement.
He said Mudavadi stands a chance of inheriting Raila's support base in the future as he is the most appropriate politician from Nyanza and Western to take up that mantle.
However, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has said ANC will join Azimio if Raila steps down for Mudavadi or they will team up with UDA provided his party leader gets a government position.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
