Raila, Mudavadi face off at Shikuku burial

  SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTEMAILRATING

By ERICK NGOBILO engobilo@ke.nationmedia.com and DENNIS ODUNGA dodunga@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, September 1  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa and their supporters tried to outdo each other and market themselves as best suited for the presidency.
• Mr Mudavadi seized the occasion to send signals that he had President Kibaki’s 'ear' when he read the Head of State’s condolence message to the Shikuku family.
• Mr Odinga said that the next election will be a two-horse race between reformers and anti-reformers. Mr Odinga said he has no hatred for or grudge against Mr Mudavadi.

Five presidential candidates on Saturday turned the burial of veteran politician Joseph Martin Shikuku into an intense battle for votes and minds in Western Kenya and across the country.

In what turned out to be a political wrestling match, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa and their supporters tried to outdo each other and market themselves as best suited for the presidency.

Trade Minister Moses Wetang’ula and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo also sought support from mourners for their presidential bids.

Mr Odinga, who was accompanied by a number of ODM MPs and ministers, was the first to arrive in Kiminini in Trans Nzoia County while Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wamalwa arrived as the proceedings continued.

Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa sat between the erstwhile political allies. At one point, Mr Mudavadi moved and sat next to Mr Odinga and chatted for a few minutes.

While the Mudavadi camp comprising MPs Boni Khalwale and Kizito Mugalia appeared to clamour for a Luhya presidency, the Odinga team -- mainly Cabinet ministers and ODM chairman Henry Kosgey -- made a strong pitch against tribal politics.

Mr Mudavadi seized the occasion to send signals that he had President Kibaki’s 'ear' when he read the Head of State’s condolence message to the Shikuku family. (READ: Mudavadi and Uhuru battle for Kibaki vote)

It was the fourth time that he was representing the president at a function. On Saturday, the Sabatia MP also represented President Kibaki at the funeral of Joshua Awori, the brother of former Vice-President Moody Awori, in Funyula, Busia County.

Mr Odinga traced his long political association with Mr Shikuku who he described as a hero of the country’s liberation struggle, from independence to the dawn of the Second Republic achieved by the enactment of the 2010 Constitution.

Share This Story

  

RELATED STORIES

• Mourners honour ‘watchman’s’ wishes

He said that the next election will be a two-horse race between reformers and anti-reformers. Mr Odinga said he has no hatred for or grudge against Mr Mudavadi.

The Premier said the media misquoted him when he cautioned voters against being bribed by aspirants. “I have never insulted or spoken ill of Mudavadi. I don’t engage in politics of hatred,” Mr Odinga said.

The PM said Mr Shikuku fought for reforms in the country and the second liberation. Mr Shikuku was one of Mr Odinga’s key supporters from Western region.

Mr Odinga urged Kenyans to elect leaders who can implement the new constitution fully. “It is only someone who believes in the new Constitution who can fully implement it. Reject people who do not believe in our Constitution or did not support it,” he said.

When he spoke, Mr Mudavadi defended his presidential campaign and warned against politics of hate. The UDF party leader said it was the right of everyone who wished to run for the presidency but cautioned the aspirants against insulting others during their hunt for votes.

The Sabatia MP, who was accompanied by his wife Tessy, also cautioned Kenyans against electing “a comedian” to the presidency in what seemed to be an attack on Mr Odinga who is popular for his humorous speeches.

He said matters of constitutional implementation should not be placed in the hands of a comedian. Mr Wamalwa was categorical that he will not be anyone’s running mate, saying he is in the presidential race for the long haul.

“I went to Kisumu and they said I will be Raila’s running mate. Then, I went to Nyeri and they said I will be Uhuru’s running mate,” he said and added: “I am in the race to become the fourth president of Kenya.”

Mr Wetang’ula said Kenyans want a leader who will bring the country together, preach peace and ensure the fruits of the new Constitution are realised. Earlier, Dr Boni Khalwale had declared that this was the time for a leader from Western region to take over State House.

Dr Khalwale, who introduced Mr Mudavadi to the mourners as the “president in waiting”, said: “Shikuku contested the presidency and lost. Kijana Wamalwa was in the race but lost. Mudavadi, now is your time.”

House Speaker Kenneth Marende, who spoke after Mr Mudavadi and welcomed the Prime Minister to address mourners, called on presidential aspirants to exercise tolerance and conduct their campaigns peacefully.