Clerics endorse Mudavadi for top seat

Amani Coalition presidential flag-bearer Musalia Mudavadi addresses a rally in Isiolo town on Thursday. He was accompanied by his running mate Jeremiah Kioni and Kanu National Organising Secretary Abdulrahman Bafadhil. [PHOTO: DPMPS]

By Felix Olick

KENYA: A section of religious leaders have endorsed Amani Coalition presidential candidate Musalia Mudavadi even as he vowed he would not play the ‘kingmaker’.

The clerics drawn from various denominations said they settled on Mudavadi because he is non-confrontational, peaceful and the only one who can unite the country.

They maintained that with less than two weeks to the General Election, the country is still fragmented along ethnic lines and needs a moderate leader.

“Musalia Mudavadi is not an extremist. He is a sober person who is harmless like a dove,” said East Africa Methodist Secretary General Isaya Deye. Speaking on Thursday at United Democratic Forum (UDF) offices in Nairobi, the church leaders dismissed opinion polls that have consistently projected Mudavadi as a back runner.

Mudavadi who was flanked by his running mate Jeremiah Kioni declared he was in the race to the end and would not be a ‘kingmaker’ as a political analyst claimed. “I gave my nomination papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Kenyans have not decided and they have an opportunity to do so on March 4,” he said.

Mudavadi said the church must persuade their congregation to vote beyond tribal lines. He also said the death threats against Chief Justice Willy Mutunga must be taken seriously and called for thorough investigations.

Judiciary

He insisted the issue must be dealt with promptly to uphold the independence of the Judiciary, adding that when the CJ of any country speaks, there could be something about to undermine the delivery of justice.

“Institutions must operate within their mandate. This business of people trying to transgress must be condemned,” he said in apparent reference to claims that Head of Civil Service Francis Kimemia was interfering with the Judiciary.

He said Kenya passed the new Constitution so that the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislative arms of Government uphold their independence. Mr Kioni said the Church must speak out boldly on issues affecting Kenyans without tribal considerations. He insisted given the circumstances that the country was in, Mudavadi is the safe pair of hands.