Mudavadi seeks to team up with Uhuru

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Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on has announced that he will work with Mr Uhuru Kenyatta in the next General Election. Photo/FILE 

By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Monday, July 30  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• DPM wants to join forces with TNA leader in bid to avert second round vote

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi on Monday announced he will work with Mr Uhuru Kenyatta in the next General Election.

Speaking at Ol Kalou Town in Nyandarua County, Mr Mudavadi said he would join hands with Mr Kenyatta to avert a run-off.

“A run-off will be too costly for the country. At a time when we are trying to build infrastructure, the last thing we want to do is spend money on a run-off,” he said.

Speaking in Kikuyu, the DPM urged Kenyans to shun tribalism.

He later opened a UDF office in the town.

Speaking at the same occasion, Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said a victim of the 2007 post-election violence, he wanted Kenyans to maintain peace.

“In 2007, Kibaki hired a helicopter to rescue me in Nyanza,” he said.

Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni claimed there was a plot by some leaders to divide Kenyans and force a run-off.

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“We are aware that some leaders are planning to divide us so that in the second round, they can get the Rift Valley vote,” he said.

Mr Mudavadi was on a tour of Nyandarua. Area MP Erastus Mureithi was not present.

During a stopover in Elburgon, Nakuru, Mr Mudavadi said he had no plans to reunite with Prime Minister Raila Odinga in ODM.

Responding to questions from residents, the DPM said he was confident he would win the presidency on a United Democratic Forum ticket.

“I left ODM and I’m not going back there,” he declared.

Last week, ODM amended its constitution to allow other members to challenge the PM as the flag bearer.

Mr Mudavadi, who quit ODM in April alleging dictatorship, repeated calls for Mr Odinga to retire with President Kibaki.

“They have done their part and should now allow us to unite Kenyans,” he said.

The Sabatia MP blamed the old guard for the bloodshed after the 2007 elections.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Raila (Fora) lobby says it has raised enough funds for campaigns.

National coordinator Alex Mukabwa said massive campaigns will kick off in all the 47 counties this week.

“We will mount a campaign that has never been seen in Kenya before,” Mr Mukabwa said in Kuria West District.

Fora’s national deputy organising secretary, Mr John Oyugi, said aspirants with pending corruption cases should not waste money campaigning because Kenyans would not vote for them.

“We will tell Kenyans the stuff some of the candidates are made of…the time for the hard truth is coming,” Mr Oyugi said.

In Kisii, ODM delegates on Monday took their campaign to South Mugirango. Speaking at Nyamarambe, delegates from Nyamira and Kisii said Mr Odinga was set to be the next President.

ODM Kisii branch chairman Chris Obure challenged Mr Odinga’s rivals to fight in a dignified manner.

“Mr Odinga’s rivals are engaged in witch-hunting, mudslinging and tribal politics to stop him from succeeding President Kibaki,” he said.

By Noah Cheploen, Elisha Otieno and Jackline Moraa

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