Rude shock for elders as they visit Mudavadi to deliver PM’s message

By ROSELYNE OBALA

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi reprimanded Luhya elders who paid him a courtesy call at his rural home to deliver a message from Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Luhya Elders Forum members led by chairman Patrick Wangamati had visited Mudavadi at his Mululu home in Sabatia on Friday.

Burudi Nabwera, Peter Ludava and former envoy Justus Mudavadi had accompanied Wangamati.

The four elders met Mudavadi in a closed-door meeting and when they came out all seemed not well.

Sources in the meeting revealed that Mudavadi reprimanded the elders and accused them of using the forum to pursue selfish interests. Mudavadi is said to have asked the elders why they didn’t inform him they were going to meet the Prime Minister.

Mudavadi said he would also have given them a message to take to the Prime Minister. The Sabatia MP told the elders it was hypocritical for them to quietly go to see Raila and then come back to him with a message.

Sources further revealed that Mudavadi told the elders to stop using the forum to look for handouts.

After the meeting, Wangamati and Nabwera confirmed they met Raila on Wednesday morning in Nairobi who gave them a message to take to Mudavadi.Wangamati said they had paid Mudavadi a courtesy call at his home to plan for Saturday’s meeting and also to ask Mudavadi to agree to a compromise.

"It is true that we met the Prime Minister. When somebody invites you to meet them, you don’t turn down the offer," said Wangamati.

Mr Wangamati, however, said it is good to support "your son" if he really wants the seat.

At a separate function, former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi also took issue with Wangamati.

Speaking at a funeral in Bumula, Kituyi accused Wangamati of misleading the community.

He asked the elder to show the right direction and categorically state his stand instead of playing double standards.