Mudavadi says Orange party has lost regional support

By Peter Atsiaya and Renson Buluma

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has said Water minister Charity Ngilu’s decision to launch her presidential bid symbolises the end to ODM’s regional support.

Mr Mudavadi, who took his campaign to Busia County on Friday, said Prime Minister Raila Odinga should forget winning the presidency after key allies who gave the party regional support ditched ODM to run for the top seat.

He added: “Ngilu was the only key leader who had remained with ODM and her decision to run for president on a Narc ticket means ODM has support in Nyanza alone.” “Politics is numbers and ask yourself where would the PM and ODM get the numbers when he is without William Ruto, Najib Balala, Ngilu, and me?” posed Mudavadi.

Mudavadi was speaking when he addressed a rally at Port Victoria market on Friday as he embarked on his two-day tour of the region.

Avoid run-off

He addressed rallies at Mau Mau, Mubwayo, Mukhobola, Ruambua, Mudembi, Budalang’i and Mundere markets where he called on residents to support his presidential bid.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi addresses a rally at Funyula trading centre in Busia County. [Photo: DPM]

MPs Bonny Khalwale and Justus Kizito, former Budalang’i MP Raphael Wanjala and parliamentary aspirants led by Alfred Agoi (Sabatia) Eric Mudimba (Butula) and Julius Ekwenye (Teso North) were present. Others were former ECK vice chairman Gabriel Mukele, Vincent Sidai, and Busia County Chairman Charles Onyango.

The DPM will address a rally at Busia Stadium on Saturday. Mudavadi urged MPs from the County who are allied to Raila to join UDF.

He challenged Sports Minister Paul Otuoma, MPs Ababu Namwamba and Alfred Odhiambo to read the mood on the ground and ditch ODM before it is too late.

“I have once suffered because I went against wishes of voters and my colleagues should learn from the punishment I was given by Sabatia voters,” he said.

Mudavadi said he wanted to be a servant of Kenyans and not a ruler who cannot be corrected if he makes mistakes. He said Kenyans should avoid going for a run-off in presidential elections as this would cost taxpayers additional Sh6 billion.