Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mudavadi campaign woos four Western MPs


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By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, October 13  2012 at  17:59
IN SUMMARY
  • UDF strategists said last week’s defection of Webuye MP Alfred Sambu from ODM to the party was the culmination of several weeks of behind-the-scenes talks aimed at shoring up support for Mr Mudavadi in western Kenya.
  • Mr Mudavadi is also said to have reached out to Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) and Ford People for a political alliance.
  • Last Thursday, the DPM held two meetings with Mr Ruto, the first one at his Riverside Drive residence early in the morning and the second one at the URP secretariat in the afternoon.
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Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi is wooing four MPs and many other aspirants in Western Province to his United Democratic Forum (UDF) party as he seeks to strengthen his foothold in the region.
UDF strategists said last week’s defection of Webuye MP Alfred Sambu from ODM to the party was the culmination of several weeks of behind-the-scenes talks aimed at shoring up support for Mr Mudavadi in western Kenya.
The DPM’s campaign is keen to dispel the perception that Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his ODM party have massive following in the region, especially after UDF recently lost the Bukura civic by-election to the Orange party.
A lot of defections
UDF’s national campaign director Sande Oyolo said: “You will be witnessing a lot of defections to UDF in the coming days, consultations are at an advanced stage.” (READ: Why the Big Three are seeking new alliances)
Mr Mudavadi is also said to have reached out to Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) and Ford People for a political alliance.
Last Thursday, the DPM held two meetings with Mr Ruto, the first one at his Riverside Drive residence early in the morning and the second one at the URP secretariat in the afternoon.
Mr Mudavadi had on Tuesday held a meeting with Ford People leader Henry Obwocha. “Yes, we are talking,” confirmed Mr Obwocha. “Our NEC (national executive council) met and resolved that we talk to like-minded parties – which are TNA, UDF and Wiper.”
Among those being targeted by the Mudavadi campaign in Western Province are Nambale MP Chris Okemo, Emuhaya’s Wilbur Ottichilo and Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli.
Others are former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and former permanent secretary Kenneth Lusaka ,who is a frontrunner in the race for Bungoma governor’s seat.
Mr Mudavadi is also eyeing former Attorney-General Amos Wako, who recently joined ODM.
On course
Speaking at the launch of his presidential campaign secretariat in Nairobi’s Kileleshwa suburb last Wednesday, Mr Mudavadi assured the party’s supporters that he was on course to winning the presidency.
“I don’t want you to have any doubt, we shall win. Don’t be cowed by the political propaganda spanned all over that some of our members have defected. We shall take the battle to their home ground,” he said.
“Nobody should imagine we are going to play second fiddle to them but we are open to coalition with a party after we are clear we have a convergence in ideology,” he added.

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