Photo/ISAAC WALE Mr Abdallah Ismael Wanyama, the chairman of Western Province traders, addresses journalists in Kakamega town on April 15, 2012. He called on Mr Mudavadi to quit ODM.
By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, April 15 2012 at 22:30
Posted Sunday, April 15 2012 at 22:30
IN SUMMARY
- Meeting fuels talk that the DPM was planning to defect from Orange party
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi will meet MPs, professionals and other leaders from Western Province on Tuesday as part of wider consultations on his anticipated defection from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Mr Mudavadi and his aides were tight-lipped about their plans beyond saying that he will meet MPs at Landmark Hotel, Nairobi, in readiness for a bigger meeting at the Kakamega Golf Hotel on Friday, possibly leading to a public rally at which he will announce his political future.
Shinyalu MP Kizitio Mugali said: “We want to discuss matters affecting the community and the prevailing political situation. Mudavadi is consulting widely before he makes any decisions,” Mr Mugali said.
But the director of communications at Mr Mudavadi’s office downplayed the matter.
“The DPM is just consulting widely. He wants to carry along all Kenyans in whatever moves he makes so the media should stop unnecessary speculation. The DPM has never told anybody that he is leaving ODM,” Mr Kibisu Kabatesi said.
“The Tuesday meeting is definitely on. As for the Friday meeting and public rally, those are just proposals being considered; nothing has been agreed upon so far so we should wait for them to happen then you can report,” he said.
Mr Mudavadi will probably make his announcement at a rally being considered for Muliro Gardens.
Even as some of Mr Mudavadi’s aides insisted he is not going anywhere, within ODM, the position of running mate is already attracting attention and generating a fair amount of speculation.
Roads Minister Franklin Bett is positioning himself to succeed Mr Mudavadi as Mr Odinga’s possible running mate.
Addressing delegates from Kericho and Bomet counties in the presence of Mr Odinga on Saturday, Mr Bett asked the PM to consider getting his running mate from South Rift.
There is speculation about other possible running mates, including deputy speaker Farah Maalim and Fisheries minister Amason Kingi. Both could not be reached for comment.
Outside ODM, Mr Odinga’s strategists were said to be considering reaching out to Gichugu MP Martha Karua or Internal Security Minister George Saitoti.
Speaking on Sunday, Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale defended Mr Mudavadi’s quest to wrest the ODM presidential ticket from Mr Odinga and asked him to join New Ford Kenya if the party frustrated him.
“Mr Odinga should explain why he is worried about Mudavadi’s presidential bid if, as opinion polls indicate, he is the man to beat at the polls,” Dr Khalwale said.
The MP, who spoke at a funeral in his constituency, said it was disrespectful of the MPs allied to Mr Odinga to refer to Mr Mudavadi as “an adopted child in ODM.”
“We want to tell Mr Odinga that as much as he has a right to be run for presidency, he should respect others, who are in the race for the job, including Mr Mudavadi,” Dr Khalwale said.
Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali also backed Mr Mudavadi and asked the ODM leadership to embrace democracy.
“It is ironical that the party that fought fiercely for the new Constitution and democracy has started undermining the same tenets and those perceived to be pushing for the same ideals,” the legislator said.
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