VIHIGA COUNTY: CORD’s extension of an olive branch to former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to join it in forming a formidable coalition ahead of 2017 has divided the UDF rank and file.
Some members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) party say former Prime Minister Raila Odinga may, after all, entrust the coalition in Mudavadi’s hands and support him in the run up to the presidency.
But to others, Mudavadi may not add value to CORD since he had broken ranks with Raila to advance his own ambitions, and may need to stand alone or seek new partners.
During the funeral of a former Vihiga MP Peter Fredrick Kibisu at Mudungu Primary School in Sabatia constituency, the CORD team, led by Raila, senators Moses Wetang’ula, George Khaniri, James Orengo and Anyang’ Nyong’o, said if Mudavadi joined their team, it would help oust President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Raila said he would welcome Mudavadi and work with him again. “There is no need for us to work separately when we can work together. My brother Mudavadi is welcome to work with us, like we did many years back,” Raila said.
Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu (UDF) says joining CORD may not be the best option for the former Deputy Prime Minister. “CORD is a confused lot. The only option for Mudavadi is to soldier on strongly on his own so that others can join him,” says Chanzu.
But Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, who is allied to UDF, sees hope in Mudavadi working with Raila. Khaniri says it would be counterproductive for the two to work separately.
“Mudavadi and Raila should sit together and seek to work together, or else forget going for the presidency in 2017. In 2022, we will not like to see them standing on the path of the young politicians who have given them enough time to take up the position,” Khaniri says.
“The only option for Mudavadi and Raila is to unite. Otherwise, they will become spent forces in the next elections,” he says.
Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, who succeeded Mudavadi, however says Mudavadi’s decision to ditch Raila was because he wanted to contest for the presidency and nothing has changed. “We have agreed to rebrand our coalition and consolidate our support so that Mudavadi will vie again for the same position in the coming elections. Our supporters in this region do not want to hear of him being a running mate or a flower girl,” Agoi says.
He further explains that the region has enough numbers and they have enough time to convince voters from the region to support Mudavadi.
Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale (UDF), who offered Mudavadi an ultimatum to join CORD or forever remain in the political cold, says after President Kenyatta tricked Mudavadi in the run up to the last poll, it would be prudent for Mudavadi to join in the fight against his (Uhuru’s) leadership.
“President Uhuru cheated us into signing for a pre-election pact with an aim of locking Mudavadi out of the presidency. If Mudavadi feels aggrieved the way we do, let him join CORD and we oust Uhuru,” he said.
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