Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi addressing teachers at Tande Friends Secondary School in Malava on August 5, 2025./HILTON OTENYO
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed claims that he is trying to impose a political candidate on the people of Malava, terming the reports as "cheap and baseless."
Speaking at Friends Tande High School during the Teachers’ Appreciation and Stakeholder Engagement Day on Tuesday, August 5, Mudavadi maintained that leadership must be decided by the people—not political boardrooms.
“I want to make it clear that I am not here to support or impose any candidate in Malava. You will wait a long time before I publicly endorse anyone. Elect your own leader,” he said.
Mudavadi clarified that he had only asked the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to field a candidate but emphasized that the final decision rests with the people.
He urged residents to reflect on the kind of leadership they want—someone honest, accountable, and capable of managing resources like the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), and who will prioritise education and local development.
“The leader you elect will not only serve you but will also legislate for the whole country,” he reminded the constituents.
As he prepares to lead UDA’s campaign efforts in the upcoming by-election, Mudavadi urged voters to reject clan-based politics, calling it an outdated and divisive way of choosing leaders.
“In the past few days, I have met with clan chairmen, elders, MCAs, administrators, and today, with you—the teachers, who are respected opinion shapers. My only interest is the well-being of Malava and its people,” he said.
“This is not the time to view leadership through the lens of clans. Let’s rise above traditional thinking.”
Mudavadi also called for unity in Western Kenya, warning against petty politics and misinformation that, he said, distract communities from pursuing meaningful development.
“We must stop selling ourselves short. Let’s analyse our political trends seriously and begin seeing the bigger picture,” he said.
On the 2027 general elections, Mudavadi stated that defeating an incumbent president in Africa remains extremely difficult, pointing to Kenya’s own political history.
“It will be very difficult to defeat President William Ruto in 2027. He is building broad alliances and increasing his influence,” he said.
Mudavadi cited past reelections of presidents Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta as evidence of the challenge of unseating an incumbent.
“In 2017, I was in the opposition with Raila Odinga and part of NASA. We campaigned hard, but we still lost,” he added.
He urged the people of Malava and the broader Western region to work with the government to benefit from key development projects, including roads, schools, and water infrastructure.
