DPM and allies say ODM stalking UDF, lacks strategy

BY LINAH BENYAWA

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has once again asked Prime Minister Raila Odinga to quit politics claiming the PM was no longer influential.

While addressing United Democratic Forum party (UDF) supporters in Mombasa County, Mudavadi claimed Raila’s political career was over and it was about time he retired and leave other aspirants to gunner for presidential seat.

“Raila should stop reminding us of what he used to do. His time is over because he is no longer influential. He should instead leave other better candidates, who would clinch the presidential seat, to run,” said Mudavadi.

He noted that Raila was too old to contest adding that his hey days were over.

Send goons
The DPM, who was accompanied by his political allies that included Housing minister Soita Shitanda, MPs Boni Khalwale, Jeremiah Kioni, Justus Kizito, Abdikadir Mohammed, George Khaniri and Nderitu Mureithi and Mombasa County governor aspirant Suleiman Shahabal among other leaders, accused Orange Democratic Party (ODM) of stalking him.

He claimed the party had planned to use goons to disrupt his rallies.

“The ODM party has been planning to disrupt our rallies. I don’t understand why it had been stalking us wherever we go. If we plan to go to any county, ODM will send its goons to disrupt UDF meetings,” he claimed.

Mudavadi’s remarks were echoed by Kizito who claimed that Raila and his party had panicked that’s why they always hold rallies where UDF party is. “He should stop following Mudavadi. Raila and his followers have panicked because they see us as a threat that’s why they are following UDF where it holds rallies,” stated Kizito.

Mureithi also accused the PM of witch-hunting and playing dirty politics. He urged Kenyans to be wise and vote for a leader who has positive ideologies.

misappropriating funds
“We shouldn’t elect leaders whose business is to insult and witch-hunt other politicians. This has to stop. We want leaders who would go to Kenyans and sell their ideologies instead of venting insults,” said Mureithi.

The DPM and his allies also accused Raila of mishandling the issue of Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) arguing that it was a group whose grievances ought to be listened to.

“Why tell people that you cannot hold talks with them because they are outlawed. This is unfair, MRC and any other group has a right to be listened to because they are Kenyans,” he added.

And his Ikolomani counterpart Khalwale accused Raila of misappropriating funds meant to compensate fishermen who were affected by the dredging exercise at Mombasa port.

where is the money ?
“I am aware that development partners gave Sh3.5 billion for compensation of fishermen who were affected from the ongoing upgrading of the port but it is sad to see that those fishermen got nothing and I would sanction Amason Kingi and the PM to tell us where the money is,” said Khalalwe.

Khalwale also asked Medical Service Minister Anyang Nyong’o to step aside over the National Health Insurance Fund scam.

At a meeting with supporters, Mudavadi said UDF will sponsor a motion to set up parliamentary select committee to look into MRC grievances.

“Whereas everybody has been saying the challenge of MRC needs attention, nobody has broken the impasse between national leaders and this group. Accordingly, we have decided to sponsor a motion aimed at setting up a parliamentary select committee to meet all key players and find a lasting solution,” he said.

Mudavadi said Kioni has already drafted the motion to set up the committee. “This is being done in the spirit of national reconciliation.” added Mudavadi.

new requirements
Also lined up by UDF are changes on Miscellaneous Amendments Bill currently before the House, which exempts sitting councillors and MPs from new requirements on academic qualification.

“We have received representations from sitting councillors and MPs anxious about the application of electoral and political parties’ laws disqualifying candidates of elective office because of academic qualification. It is our considered view that this is a bad law and discriminative locking out good leadership”, said Mudavadi.

prevent conflict
“We also believe holding the office of a councillor in particular, avails one vast experience comparable to post- secondary training as required by the new law,” he added.

The DPM further said the UDF and friendly parliamentarians will accelerate the development of appropriate legislations and guidelines to ensure equitable resource sharing between the counties and national government to prevent conflict and abuse.