Mudavadi readies to name his new political party

BY ROSELYNE OBALA

and Vincent Mabatuk

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi is expected to officially announce his next political party on Saturday in Kakamega.

A scheduled consultative meeting in his Western Province backyard this Saturday will see Mudavadi and his supporters officially move out of ODM.

Mudavadi will chair the meeting and his declaration will open a new chapter in the vote-rich region.

Koibatek County Council chairman Cleopas Kimetto (right) with other councillors address a press conference on ODM wrangles in Eldama Ravine, on Sunday. [PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

Mudavadi, who is ODM deputy party leader, has expressed displeasure over the manner in which the party presented papers to the Registrar of Political Parties before amending the constitution.

Mudavadi is reported to be holding talks with various party officials.

Last Wednesday, a major announcement by Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa aborted last minute after he rescinded his earlier plan to address the media in Kakamega.

Denied reports

The minister, however, denied reports that he was present when Housing minister Soita Shitanda and Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale met Mudavadi at his house last week.

Shitanda noted that leaders from Western region have for a long time been divided, therefore there is need to come together.

"We have to identify our leader and coordinate regional affairs as a team and not as individuals," he added.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has maintained that Mudavadi will not quit ODM but things do not appear rosy. Mudavadi has kept his supporters guessing his next move, though he promised to issue a comprehensive statement over the matter.

A lobby group in Western Province, Operation Musalia Ikulu (OMI) has asked Mudavadi to name his next party. OMI said the DPM should not keep his supporters in suspense and urged him to make a stand and bolt out of ODM.

The group’s chairman, Burton Richard, said their aim is to campaign for Mudavadi to ensure he lands in State House.

Transparent elections

"We want to see Mudavadi in State House. We kindly request him to quit ODM the soonest," he stated.

Richard noted that there was no point for Mudavadi to stay in ODM when it was obvious democracy would not prevail.

"It beats logic to stick in the movement when going by all indications, he stands to be locked out of the presidential nominations," he added. The group argued Mudavadi has no chance for fair and transparentelections for party’s presidential ticket.

"We are going to support Mudavadi in every move he decides to make. Mudavadi’s name must be in the ballot," he explained.

The PM’s allies have accused Mudavadi and his supporters of rocking ODM from within.

Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno said they will not fail to get a replacement for Mudavadi while his Immigration counterpart Otieno Kajwang’ read mischief over the matter.

Mudavadi is unhappy with the party leadership and believes they are not keen to amend a contentious clause that bars him from contesting for party presidential ticket.

MPs allied to Mudavadi have asked him to look for a party with a national outlook, one that will be easy to sell to the electorate.

The leaders include Justus Kizito (Shinyalu), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and George Khaniri (Hamisi).

Constant touch

Sources intimated the PM met with Trade minister Moses Wetangula last Friday to discuss the matter.

"Despite Wetangula’s denial to have met the PM, we were in constant touch and aware of the details of their discussion," stated an MP who declined to be named. Reports had earlier indicated that ODM might be in talks with Forestry minister Noah Wekesa and Wetangula over a possible replacement for Mudavadi.

Meanwhile, councillors from Baringo County have asked Mudavadi to quit ODM if he wants to succeed politically.

Twenty-six ODM councillors from Koibatek County Council on Sunday met at Ravine where they advised Mudavadi to stop wasting time in ODM.

"What we are telling Mudavadi is to pick his luggage and move out of this party, and he should have done this yesterday," said Koibatek County Council chairman Cleophas Kimetto.