Raila allies plot as Musalia networks

By DAVID OHITO and ROSELYNE OBALAPrime Minister Raila Odinga maintained his silence on the hint by his deputy and rival for presidential ticket that he could already have one leg outside Orange Democratic Movement. However, interviews with his associates showed he is well aware of Mudavadi’s concerns, and he won’t be surprised if he abandons him like he did in 2002. They suggest the Prime Minister is already working on aalready working on a strategy to take care of the Deputy Prime Minister’s exit if it comes to that. Prime Minister Raila Odinga [PHOTO:FILE]At the same time it emerged Mudavadi was consulting his allies and potential hosts in a new political party, as the country waits the "comprehensive statement" he promised on Wednesday. Then, Mudavadi said he was "making a considered assessment" of the situation in ODM. Though Raila kept his silence, probably so as not be seen either to be aggravating the situation or directly at war with Mudavadi, his allies turned on the DPM.Seven Members of Parliament from Nyanza Province and one from Western met at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, where sources said they discussed possible options should the Sabatia MP quit.ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo reportedly chaired the Serena meeting. In attendance were MPs Fred Outa (Nyando), Oyugi Magwanga (Kasipul-Kabondo), John Mbadi (Gwassi), Oburu Odinga (Bondo), Ayiecho Olweny, (Muhoroni), and Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), and Sports minister Paul Otuoma (Samia).When contacted, Mr Midiwo said they would respond to Mudavadi’s threat today at the burial of the late vice- chairperson of National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Mary Onyango, in Ugenya.Raila’s wing in ODM also mobilised youth leaders from all the four Western Province counties, which constitute Mudavadi’s political turf, to a meeting in Busia where they criticised the DPM. Mudavadi met Housing Minister Soita Shitanda and Ikolomani MP Bony Khalwale of New Ford-Kenya party on Wednesday evening, but the details of the meeting remained scanty. But yesterday in Kakamega, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, who is also in this party, confirmed they indeed met Mudavadi and insisted he is welcome to their party."We will seal the deal, but I will be in a good position to make the announcement this afternoon (yesterday) at Golf Hotel," he said, but he left Kakamega without doing so.He had earlier called on journalists to come for his "major announcement" at Kakamega High School. "Kakamega will be the best place to make such an announcement," he had stated.ReplacementIt was not, however, clear if Wamalwa, who apart from being seen as Uhuru Kenyatta’s preferred choice for running mate under G7 Alliance, also insists he is in the presidential race himself, would handover New Ford-Kenya’s presidential ticket to the Sabatia MP if he crossed over. It is also emerging Raila’s camp held strategy meetings with his campaign secretariat proposing two options just in case Mudavadi quits. Featuring in the meetings were James Ongwae, who heads Raila campaign secretariat, and Barrack Muluka, who is the Director of Communications for Rail team. There was also former Cabinet minister and political science lecturer Amukoa Anangwe. Some of his strategists reveal the PM’s options should Mudavadi leave over disagreement on nomination rule that guarantees the party leader presidential nomination ticket, include courting as running someone else from Western Province. Three names are featuring in the discussions – Cabinet ministers Noah Wekesa, Moses Wetangula, and Speaker Kenneth Marende. But it is not clear if they have been informed or have had any discussions with Raila or any of his associates.There is also mention of some non-political actors from Western Province being touted as possible choices for Mudavadi’s place. "The party is looking beyond current MPs as the PM shops for a running mate. The net is cast wider and we are looking at Western keenly and should Mudavadi bolt out, Raila will have look for replacement from there," said a minister, who requested not to be named given the sensitivity of the matter.The minister revealed the PM had requested leaders to tone down attacks on Mudavadi, saying it was polarising the party. Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga challenged Mudavadi to explain why he remained silent over the years as nominations rules were made while he endorsed them."Mudavadi was welcomed. We helped him meet delegates across our constituencies to campaign. For him to indicate he is about to ditch the party is worrying," Anyanga said. Wamwalwa revealed New Ford-Kenya was enticing Mudavadi to their side. When contacted Shitanda, who heads New Ford-Kenya, confirmed they met, but contradicted Wamalwa saying their discussions were on Western Province issues.Enemies Shitanda also said he was not aware that Wamalwa was expected to make a major announcement in Kakamega. Information Assistant George Khaniri, a close ally of Mudavadi, said he was not aware of any of these meetings, a line also taken by the DPM’s Director of Communications Kibisu Kabatesi. "Kenyans are allowed to speculate. This is a free country, but the final decision rests with Mudavadi," added Kabatesi. Khaniri maintained they were still firmly in ODM and would push for the changes to be effected in the party constitution. "If we come to a dead end, we will inform our supporters and weigh our options," said Khaniri. Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito also said they were not leaving ODM and refuted reports Mudavadi’s allies were about to ditch the party. "We are just pushing for democracy in the party. We want the one who will get the ticket to be the choice of party delegates," he explained.ODM youth leaders in Western and Nyanza provinces accused Mudavadi of allegedly working with enemies of their party. They claimed Mudavadi had been secretly meeting Uhuru and Eldoret North MP William Ruto, who are in G-7 Alliance,They now want their deputy party leader to explain his continued association with senior leaders of rival parties. Addressing a press conference in Busia town, the youth leaders led by Ben Ombima of Vihiga County, claimed Mudavadi was sowing seeds of discord in ODM. When contacted Kabatesi asked: "Who can believe what the youth led by Ombima say?"

Raila allies plot as Musalia networks

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