Mudavadi asserts to vie for presidency

Written By:Claire Wanja/KNA,    Posted: Sun, Oct 16, 2011

The DPM urged the people to support him and to also prepare for the next general elections Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for local government Musalia Mudavadi has said he is ready to contest for presidency on Orange Democratic (ODM) Party ticket. He said his presidential ambition can only be realised by being in a strong political party which has support all over the country that can mount effective campaign. "I will go through ODM nominations process to compete against other candidates and once I win expect them to support me and vice versa to nurture fair competition within our party", he said. Mudavadi was speaking on Saturday during the burial ceremony of the late Rosalia Maende Omwanda, grandmother to Benjamin Washiali, MP for Mumias at Shitoto village in Kakamega County. He said the new constitutional dispensation has changed the ground of political game. "Politics in Kenya is not the usual game where anybody can go rounds in the country claiming he wants to be president while belonging to a party with only two members. For one to be president he must belong to a strong political party with majority MPs in Parliament" he said. For one to be declared the president he or she   must garner 50-plus one of the total votes cast and 25% votes cast in 24 counties out of the 47 counties. The DPM urged the people to support him, prepare for the next general elections by registering to vote and remain united in ODM saying the party is still the strongest with supporters across the country. Mudavadi advised the locals to ignore some of the politicians campaigning to be president saying they are part of wider scheme to divide their votes and dilute the chances of achieving their ambition. "In the G7 some from this region are being derided behind their backs as a nuisance yet they think they are in good company", he cautioned. The DPM also urged Kenyans to stop obsession with positions of governors and senators and failing to give attention to several other important positions in the County provided by the constitution. He gave examples of county speaker, County cabinet and other county public services which need qualified individuals to fill but have not received attention from Kenyans. Musalia added Kenyans must elect leaders with integrity and skills to ensure faster development in the counties saying the county government draws power from the constitution to manage its affairs. The DPM assured Kenyans that the government will put in place policies to curb the sprawling inflation and save ordinary Kenyans from the high cost of living. "I cannot stand here and condemn the government for the high cost of living but appreciate the problem Kenyans are facing. I want to be part of the team to put in place policies to salvage the situation", he said.