Mudavadi to dare Raila for party leadership

By Stephen Makabila

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi plans to challenge Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the ODM party leadership come the national elections.

The Standard On Sunday established Mr Mudavadi has been motivated by the fact that the Raila camp was not willing to do away with a clause in the party Constitution that makes the party leader an automatic presidential candidate.

"Mudavadi plans to challenge Raila for the party leader’s position if the ODM leadership remains adamant over the contentious clause, which to him is the PM’s secret weapon," said a senior ODM official from Mudavadi’s Vihiga County.

Another Mudavadi ally from Bungoma County, John Chikati, also confirmed Mudavadi will challenge the PM for party leadership, and that he was not leaving anything to chance.

Different regions have embarked on consultations on those to support for different national positions come the elections whose date is yet to be set. Party officials from Western Province met in Kakamega on Saturday for consultations.

Those eyeing national positions include Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba for secretary general, Assistant Transport Minister Hassan Joho for Organising Secretary, Minister Franklin Bett and Assistant Minister Magerer Langat for National Chairman and Joash Maangi from Kisii for national treasurer.