Raila says he is ready to work with Musalia

  SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTRATING

By  BENSON AMADALA and JUSTUS WANGA newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, September 29  2012 at  20:32

IN SUMMARY

• The PM said he was ready to support Mr Mudavadi if the UDF presidential candidate defeated him in next year’s polls.
• Mr Odinga told mourners that when Mr Mudavadi lost the Sabatia parliamentary seat in the 2002 General Election, he had gone to him and offered to work with him.
• He said the political contest between him and Mr Mudavadi should not be mistaken for a fight.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is ready to work with his erstwhile ally, Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi, although the two politicians have parted ways.

Mr Odinga said he was still a friend of Mr Mudavadi’s and he had nothing personal against him after the Sabatia MP quit ODM to contest the presidency on a UDF ticket.

The PM said he was ready to support Mr Mudavadi if the UDF presidential candidate defeated him in next year’s polls.

Mr Odinga, who spoke at the burial of Dr Arthur Kemoli in Vihovole village in Sabatia constituency, said the political contest between him and Mr Mudavadi should not be mistaken for a fight.

“When people see me and Musalia lock horns for the battle ahead, they think we have parted ways. We are still very close friends ready to support each other despite the outcome of next year’s General Election,” said Mr Odinga.

Mr Odinga told mourners that when Mr Mudavadi lost the Sabatia parliamentary seat in the 2002 General Election, he had gone to him and offered to work with him.

“Musalia and I are close friends and, although we have gone different ways politically, we’ll still need each other,” said Mr Odinga.

Mr Odinga described the late Kemoli as an accomplished music teacher who had stood out because of his outstanding contribution in the creative and performing arts.

He said a request by Dr Kemoli to have his contribution immortalised through the establishment of a centre at his rural home would be looked into by the Kenya National Museums.

Share This Story

  

Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale and his Vihiga counterpart Yusuf Chanzu said Mr Mudavadi had emerged the most formidable presidential candidate after he ditched ODM.

They said Mr Odinga should prepare to join President Kibaki in retirement to give a chance to youthful leaders.

And, speaking separately at PS David Nalo’s funeral in Nyando, Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa told Mr Odinga to brace for the political battle of his life.

Mr Wamalwa said politics had significantly changed from what it was during the last elections when Mr Odinga almost clinched the presidency, arguing that it was not going to be easy for the PM. (READ: State of politics)

“I know you are a battle hardened political heavyweight but you should know this; you must tighten your belt and pull up your socks as this will not be like any other political duel known to you,” he said.

The remarks attracted instant response from the PM, who invited the Justice minister to join the Orange party. “I do not know which number you will play in our team but we will definitely find you a place,” said the PM.

ODM party chairman Henry Kosgey said his party was all set for the elections. “We have never been this prepared, my good friend Wamalwa should know that the presidency is ODM’s for the taking,” he said.

Sentiments by Mr Wamalwa that “we would beat Mr Odinga at the presidential ballot” attracted criticism from Cabinet ministers James Orengo and Dalmas Otieno.