Mudavadi: Some leaders polarising voters

By Peter Atsiaya and Renson Buluma

BUSIA, KENYA: Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi took his campaigns to Busia County, saying he is a leader who cannot polarise the country.

The Amani alliance presidential candidate said the bitter exchanges between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta during their campaigns are not good for the nation.

He added the tug of war being perpetuated by the two rivals has raised political temperatures.

“I am the best candidate to moderate the high political temperatures and ensure that all Kenyans live peacefully after the elections. It is a fact that the two leaders are dividing the country and Kenyans should not vote for them,” he added.

Raila and Uhuru have exchanged words with the PM accusing his deputy of looting public resources.

Uhuru in response denied stealing public property and challenged Raila to tell Kenyans how the Odinga family acquired molasses plant in Kisumu.

Mudavadi teamed up with Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa and Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat in a series of rallies in Busia County on Monday.

The DPM addressed meetings in Port Victoria, Funyula, Butula and Matayos.

MPs Boni Khalwale, Yusuf Chanzu and Alfred Sambu and former MP Raphael Wanjala accompanied Mudavadi. Also present were aspirants for various elective seats in Busia County. Mudavadi and Wamalwa asked residents to confirm their names in the voters’ registers.

“Chanzu has verified his name and was shocked to be told that he had not registered. Such cases are all over and I urge you to verify your name as early as possible,” said Mudavadi.

Wamalwa said IEBC was ready to rectify the anomalies and asked residents to present their grievances as soon as possible to the electoral commission.

Rally behind

He added Amani leaders were impressed with the overwhelming support residents of the region gave Mudavadi during campaigns.

“We have campaigned in Bungoma, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia and now Busia and residents overwhelmingly vowed to rally behind Mudavadi,” said the Saboti MP.

He told MPs from the region supporting Raila led by Ababu Namwamba to stop insulting Mudavadi. Dr Khalwale told Uhuru that he should not downplay The Hague cases.

“If Uhuru wins the presidency, he would be forced by the Constitution to step down to pursue the cases at The Hague. Kenyans are not ready for another go for elections for presidency that soon,” he added.

The Ikolomani MP also took issue Raila, whom he accused of exercising nepotism and favouritism since the coalition government was formed.

He accused Raila of sidelining the Luhya community from sharing resources in the coalition government.

Chanzu hit at Ababu Namwamba for dismissing Mudavadi’s candidature and challenged him to declare his role in the maize saga.