My deal with Ruto will lock down Western, says Mudavadi

ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has said his deal with DP William Ruto to form Kenya Kwanza alliance will help him consolidate his Western backyard.

The ANC boss has suffered massive hemorrhage after key allies defected to ODM boss Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja, but he says he will fight to get more MPs in the next poll.

The former Vice President said most of the ANC MPs who decamped to Azimio will lose their seats in the August 9 General Election.

Speaking to the Star, Mudavadi said there has been a surge of people seeking to contest for various seats on ANC ticket in Western Kenya and across the country.

“There are high quality ANC aspirants for all seats. In Lurambi, ODM aspirants have crossed over to ANC, and in Matungu, a candidate who previously wanted to contest for the governor position has agreed to seek the MP slot on an ANC ticket, just to mention but a few,” Mudavadi said.

He claimed that some of the politicians who left ANC in the aftermath of his January 23 “earthquake” are seeking to return.

“A flood of defections from ODM and other parties is expected within the coming weeks,” he claimed.

In an effort to offer foolproof nominations, the ANC boss said he will personally take charge to ensure a free and fair process. 

“All certificates will be signed by the party leader to ensure no hanky-panky business by party functionaries,” he said.

This is even as DAP-K deputy party leader Ayub Savula, a former ally of Mudavadi, maintained that they will camp in the region to completely "erase" the support ANC has enjoyed.

Savula however said he will be surprised if ANC wins more than five parliamentary seats in the forthcoming elections.

“ANC is finished and what is left of it is just a shell. I left with almost everybody. Musalia will be lucky to have two MP in the next Parliament,” Savula told the Star.

Speaking in Malaba at the weekend, Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa said Mudavadi has been making mistakes every election time. He said the ANC leader will remain in the cold for choosing to team up with Ruto.

Mudavadi held his first rally in Bungoma five days after teaming up with Ruto during the party's NDC at the Bomas of Kenya.

Several party legislators swiftly defected to ODM and DAP-K and declared their support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga under Azimio La Umoja Movement.

They said Mudavadi did not consult them before making the move and said the ANC party leader was better off supporting Raila's candidature.

After the defections, Mudavadi led Kenya Kwanza rallies in Kitale, Kapsowar Mt Elgon, Malaba, Busia, Nambale, Busia town, Ogalo Busia, Budalangi, Funyula, Mbale, Shamakhokho, Chavakali, Mumias, Navakholo, Amalemba, Khwisero, Butula and Majengo.

Those who have defected to Azimio from ANC party from Western are Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Oku Kaunya (Teso North), Peter Nabulindo (Matungu), Godfrey Osotsi (Nominated ) and Christopher Aseka (Khwisero).

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula also lost Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) and Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) to DAP-K and are now plotting to overthrow him.

Trans Nzoia Women Rep Janet Nang’abo, who was elected on Jubilee Party ticket, has also decamped to DAP-K.

Mudavadi remains with MPs Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya), Ernest Kagesi (Vihiga) and Vihiga Woman Rep Beatrice Adagala.

Others are Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and Nambale MP Sakwa Bunyasi.

Wetang’ula’s loyalists are Catherine Wambilianga (Bungoma Women Rep) and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga.

Mudavadi maintained there were huge and euphoric crowds “everywhere” and residents were responsive with no jeers, “always screaming for more”.

“We had a triumphant entry into Atwoli's backyard in Khwisero. Efforts to disrupt the meetings were thwarted effortlessly,” he said.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary general Francis Atwoli has been critical of Mudavadi and has consistently been supporting Raila.

Speaking when he joined DAP-K, former House Speaker Kenneth Marende said the move by Mudavadi was a betrayal of the Kenyan people and the Luhya community in particular.

“You cannot make this nation a progressive country when you associate with bad people. It is a false step and Mudavadi acted in a manner similar to a suicide bomber,” he added.

-Edited by SKanyara