- Mudavadi and Wetang'ula will be in Western until Wednesday, drumming up support for Kenya Kwanza.
- Raila started a four-day tour of Western on Friday to neutralise strides made by Ruto in the region.
Image: MARTIN OMBIMA
The battle for Western region has intensified as Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga scramble for the 2.2 million votes.
Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) have been in Western for the last three days wooing voters to support Kenya Kwanza alliance, even as Ruto campaigns at the Coast.
The duo will be in the region until Wednesday, drumming up support for the alliance.
“In Kenya Kwanza, Western is well represented and the alliance stands to develop the whole country not just three regions as is the case with our competitors,” Mudavadi told a gathering in Museno, Kakamega.
On Saturday, Mudavadi led Kenya Kwanza team in meeting aspirants from the region at a Kakamega hotel before addressing rallies in Lurambi and Khwisero.
And Sunday, the team was in his Vihiga backyard where he addressed rallies in Hamisi, Mulundu, Mudete, Mbale, Majengo and Ebusakami.
On Monday, Mudavadi led the team in rallies in Butere, Matungu and Shinyalu. The team is expected to visit Bungoma and Busia counties on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wetang’ula downplayed claims that the ‘Deep State’ will ensure Raila becomes president, saying the winning votes are with the people and not the state machinery.
He said the perceived “Deep State” is like a mirage which is non-existent.
“The chest thumping that the 'Deep State' will make Raila president is a ploy to prepare Kenyans to accept vote rigging. We shall not accept and condemn such moves," he said.
"All we want is free and fair elections that will guarantee us the true reflection of what Kenyans want.”
Wetang'ula’s Ford Kenya and DAP-K are locked in a fierce battle for the control of Bungoma county politics. Wetang'ula has been attacking DAP-K, terming it an extension of ODM.
Kakamega has the highest number of registered voters at 743,736, Bungoma 559,850, Busia 351,048 and Vihiga 272,409 and Trans Nzoia 339,622 votes.
To counter his opponents, Raila also started a four-day tour of Western on Friday to neutralise strides made by Ruto in the region.
He started his tour in Busia county where he visited Teso North and Teso South before heading to Vihiga on Saturday.
“It is only the Azimio la Umoja government that will turn around things,” Raila told a gathering in Busia.
He also addressed rallies in Khwisero, Shibuli, Shianda, Matungu and Mumias.
On Sunday, the former Prime Minister visited Bungoma where he addressed meetings in Lukuyani, Pan Paper, Lumukanda, Malaga and Kambiri.
(edited by Amol Awuor)