Musalia Mudavadi launches Amani recruitment drive ahead of 2017

Amani National Congress has embarked on a recruitment drive in Western region to popularise the new outfit ahead of 2017 elections.

Speaking in Kakamega yesterday during a meeting with officials and opinion leaders, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi said the move is geared towards establishing strong grassroots structures to make the party more competitive in the political arena. “ANC is a newly registered party and we have started an early systematic and continuous recruitment of members.

It is very critical because you cannot conduct good politics without strong structures at the grassroots,’’ noted Mudavadi. He said most members elected on parties affiliated to the AmanicCoalition including UDF in the 2013 elections would be allowed to complete their tenure but their party of choice will be ANC in the next polls.

“ANC originated from Amani coalition and we are in agreement with political the parties Act that politicians affiliated to the latter complete their terms and vie on ANC in 2017 elections,’’ he added.

The former deputy premier claimed his meetings are not political, adding that rallies being held in the region by politicians on the on-going sugar debate will not yield any solution.

“We better get MPs focus on legislation and pass laws that will force the Government to take the agriculture sector seriously. What will matter is not the pronouncements during the rallies but tangible solutions for farmers and the sugar sector,’’ said the former Sabatia lawmaker.

Mudavadi argued that unless farmers are supported and the cost of production goes down, they won’t enjoy the fruit of cane farming. “We must support farmers produce otherwise the take away will continue being small if we don’t do anything as a nation to address the cost of production,’’ said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi did not shy away from acknowledging the voter apathy in western Kenya. The region has experienced a low turnout among eligible voters in the recent past.

“Western residents must realise that voting is their civic duty and take it seriously. We need to bring the numbers into action like in Central and Rift Valley regions because we have been ridiculed as people who register but don’t vote on material day,’’ he said.