Uhuru, Ruto hint at Mudavadi being their coalition flagbearer

By Peter Atsiaya

WESTERN; KENYA: Jubilee Alliance held their first joint rally in Western where they gave indications that they might settle on Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi as their flag bearer.

Mr Mudavadi, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto held a rally at Malava Trading Centre where they announced that they had already decided who should be their presidential candidate.

“We met in Nairobi today (Saturday) with Uhuru, Mudavadi, Ngilu and agreed on a process that would give us a presidential candidate to form the next Government during the jubilee year,” said Ruto.

He added: “There would be no fallout because Jubilee has already decided who is tosha.”

The rally was attended by more than 19 MPs from UDF, TNA and URP. Soita Shitanda, who was the master of ceremonies, invited Ruto who later called Uhuru to invite Mudavadi to speak last.

Leaders present included Cabinet minister Naomi Shaaban, Assistant ministers George Khaniri, Kazungu Kambi and Manyala Keya, MPs Dr Bonny Khalwale, Ferdinand Waititu, William Kabogo, Linah Chebii, Aden Duale, George Nyamweya, Jeremiah Kioni, Yusuf Chanzu, Justus Kizito, Ben Washiali and Alfred Sambu. Mudavadi caused laughter when he told women to deny men who have not registered as voters their conjugal rights to force them to do so.

“Put sanctions on your husbands by denying them this so that they can register as voters,” said Mudavadi, who decried the low turn out at voter registration centres.

Earlier before the three spoke, MPs allied to Mudavadi drummed up support for the Deputy Prime Minister, urging Uhuru to support him.

Khaniri told Uhuru to dispel the perception that his community cannot vote for any other leader by supporting Mudavadi.

“Uhuru has the powers to redeem his community the bad image that they cannot vote for any other leader by mobilising them to support Mudavadi,” said the Hamisi MP.

Chanzu noted that Uhuru was a credible leader to take over presidency, but the political situation in the country did not favour him as his tribesman was relinquishing power.