Sunday, July 29, 2012

Mudavadi hints at possible political alliance with Ruto


Mudavadi hints at possible political alliance with Ruto

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Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi arrives in Kericho town at the start of three-day campaign tour of the South Rift July 27, 2012 . The DPM hinted he could team up with Eldoret North MP William Ruto in his bid to clinch the presidency in the next polls. DPMPS
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi arrives in Kericho town at the start of three-day campaign tour of the South Rift July 27, 2012 . The DPM hinted he could team up with Eldoret North MP William Ruto in his bid to clinch the presidency in the next polls. DPMPS 
By JUSTUS WANGA jwanga@ke.nationmedia.com AND TIMOTHY KEMEI newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, July 28  2012 at  23:30
IN SUMMARY
  • Announcement of ‘exchange programme’ between the two comes as Wamalwa says he is set to cement bond with Raila
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said on Saturday that he was in talks with United Republican Party (URP) leader William Ruto and would be comfortable to work with him.
Speaking in Bomet, while he was on a three-day campaign tour of the South Rift, Mr Mudavadi said the country needed new leaders to move forward.
“Ruto is a good friend of mine and I am comfortable working with him to transform the country. This country needs new leaders who are focused on development,” he told supporters at Sosiot grounds.
At the time Mr Ruto was campaigning in the DPM’s backyard in Western Kenya.
Mr Mudavadi termed it an “exchange programme that would ensure that we have support in all parts of the country”.
In an apparent reference to his political ally-turned-foe Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the DPM said it was time for older politicians to step aside and allow the younger generation to take over the mantle of leadership.
“Athletes like Kipchoge Keino also contributed greatly to the athletic prowess that Kenya is now well known for. They have now passed on the baton to younger runners like Asbel Kiprop who are faster,” Mr Mudavadi said.
He called on Kenyans to uphold peace during the elections.
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Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale, who was in his entourage, accused the Prime Minister of failing to keep friends. Additionally, he advised Musalia Mudavadi against holding any coalition talks with Mr Odinga.
But Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa, who toured Nyanza Province this weekend, yet again hinted at a possible political alliance with the Prime Minister ahead of the elections.
Speaking at Kondele in Kisumu on Saturday, Mr Wamalwa said his family and that of the Prime Minister had a long standing bond that should be cemented for the common good of the country.
“Just like the late Masinde Muliro worked very closely with the doyen of the opposition politics Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to open up the country in terms of democratisation, so was my brother Michael and the PM. I seek to foster this,” he said amid cheers.
Was in talks
Mr Wamalwa spoke as Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who is also a presidential aspirant, told his supporters in Bomet that he was in talks with United Republican Party (URP) leader William Ruto and would “be comfortable to work with him”.
Mr Wamalwa criticised unnamed presidential aspirants whom he accused of coalescing around the objective of locking Mr Odinga out of the presidency.
“We need to practise politics that revolve around ideologies and not personality attacks. I know some of them who have good visions for this country and we are talking on possible alliances, but I refuse to be party to any arrangement that only targets to lock out particular people from certain seats in the country,” the minister said.
The minister was accompanied by The Independent Party (Tip) leader Kalembe Ndile, who wondered what would become of such leaders if Mr Odinga were to opt out of the presidential race.
“If the sole goal is to ensure that Raila does not become president, does it mean that they will also shelve their ambitions should the PM decide that he is no longer interested in the seat?” Mr Ndile asked.
Nairobi politician Brian Weke who also accompanied the minister challenged the youth to vie for various leadership positions created by the Constitution.
“We are not looking for a political Methuselah to move this country forward, the youth are ready and well equipped to do this,” he said.
Mr Wamalwa was on a three-day tour of Nyanza Province, where he opened New Ford-Kenya party offices in Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori counties.
And on the ongoing debate on when the election date, the minister said he would not support any plan to take General Election to August next year.
He said attempts to push the elections beyond March 4 would not be in the interest of Kenyans and only tarnish the executive and Parliament.
“I will not lend a hand to any agreement that seeks to have elections conducted in August next year,” he asserted.

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