Come back home, CORD leader woos Musalia Mudavadi

Amani Coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi greets CORD leader Raila Odinga during funeral service of the late Hon. Peter Kibisu at Mudungu primary school in Sabatia, Vihiga County.[ PHOTO:  BENJAMIN SAKWA]

VIHIGA COUNTY: Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga has asked Amani Coalition's Musalia Mudavadi to participate in the Saba Saba rally on Monday.

He also asked Mudavadi to consider joining CORD, saying the coming together of the two coalitions would provide formidable force in calling for national dialogue.

"We should work together as there is no need for Mudavadi to work differently from us. There's a need for dialogue with the Jubilee Government so we can sort out some of the problems affecting the nation,'' the former Prime Minister said.

Raila made the remarks Saturday during the burial of former Sabatia MP Peter Kibisu at Mudungu Primary School, Vihiga County, where Mudavadi was also present.

"There are many challenges facing this country, including insecurity, high cost of living, expensive drugs in hospitals and increased terrorism. These are issues that must be discussed,'' the CORD leader said, insisting that nothing will hold back Monday's rally.

Mudavadi said he was willing to join the calls for national dialogue and help forge a united country, but cautioned both Jubilee and Cord against holding extreme positions on the matter.

"I support national dialogue and we must all strive towards uniting the country despite all the problems we are experiencing,'' Mudavadi said. “But we must not hold strong positions on the matter that could jeopardise our peace."

But most of the politicians who spoke at the funeral implored him to stop supporting Jubilee and join CORD. Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale said President Uhuru Kenyatta cannot be trusted after what he did to Mudavadi in the run up to last year's elections.

"President Uhuru lied to us into signing a pre-election pact only with an aim of locking Mudavadi out of the presidency. If Mudavadi feels aggrieved the way we do, let him come to CORD," said Khalwale.

But Mudavadi urged him not to issue ultimatums. "Persuade me without using ultimatums, then we can see where we can go from there," he said.

Raila's and Khalwale's sentiments were echoed by Senators Moses Wetang'ula, George Khaniri, James Orengo and Anyang' Nyong'o who urged Mudavadi to join them.

"If Mudavadi joins CORD, it will help show the urgency of a national dialogue to heal the country that is on the verge of collapse,'' said Khaniri.

The UDF Senator had kicked off the debate by asking his party leader to implore President Kenyatta to give dialogue a chance. "Dialogue has never killed anyone. If you are a leader, why should you fear dialogue? Musalia and Raila should sit together so that they can work together, or else forget going for the presidential seat any further," he said.

"Mudavadi and Raila have relentlessly fought for the good of Kenya in the past. It will be unfortunate if they spend all their time fightingeach other instead of uniting.'' observed the Vihiga senator.

Wetang'ula said the Saba Saba rally will go on peacefully as planned. "In all the rallies that we've held nationally, we've not had any incident of violence and Monday’s rally is not an exception. What will be done after Saba Saba will be done after Saba Saba," said Wetang'ula

Kibisu passed on at his home in Wambenge Village in Sabatia Constituency on Sunday evening aged 82. He served as the second MP for the larger Vihiga Constituency between 1969 and 1976, having trounced Joseph Otiende before losing it to Moses Mudavadi.

Kibisu served as an Assistant Minister for Labour in the Third Parliament. He however fell out with the Jomo Kenyatta regime following a debate on the JM Kariuki Select Committee Report, having joined the late Masinde Muliro and Mark Mwithaga (then MP of Nakuru Town) in voting against the Government. Mzee Kenyatta sacked Muliro from the Cabinet and jailed Mark Mwithaga and Kibisu.

"Apart from politics, he was an astute trade unionist groomed by Tom Mboya. He also was a darling husband, who has given us his best over the years," said Mary, Kibisu's widow. Mary said her late husband helped set up Western College, which has over the years been integrated to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Leaders present paid their tribute to the former MP, with Raila saying he was a true statesman despite only serving as MP for six years.

Other leaders present at the funeral included MPs Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem).