Raila allies plot as Musalia networks

By DAVID OHITO and ROSELYNE OBALA

Prime 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.