Shelve your 2022 ambition and back Mudavadi, senator tells DP Ruto

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala in Eldoret on November 28, 2020, during the launch of a football tournament. [Stephen Rutto, Standard]

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has told Deputy President William Ruto to shelve his 2022 presidential ambition and back ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi. 

Speaking in Kimumu, Eldoret, on Saturday during the launch of a football tournament, the Senator told DP Ruto that the 2022 General Election would be too difficult for him to win due what he described as ‘too many political enemies’ out to block him.

“The DP must strategise and see beyond 2022. If you enemies are coming to attack you, don’t face them head-on, hide and attack after they have left,” Malala said.

Malala also said Ruto was still young and can wait for another 10 years, unlike Mudavadi.

“I know you are behind hustler, but he is still young and can shelve his ambition for Mudavadi in 2022 and come back stronger in 2027 or 2032,” Malala told the crowd.

Malala said a Mudavadi ticket will unite Kenyans and rid the country of divisive politics ahead of the General Election.

“Mudavadi is a good leader and mature enough to run the country, let our neighbours from Rift Valley led by Ruto back him,” he said.

The Senator said under a Mudavadi presidency, Ruto will be handed some responsibilities to perform as he prepares for 2027 or 2032 General Election.

This is a complete opposite from DP Ruto allies from the Western region led by former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale who have instead called on Mudavadi to back Ruto in 2022.

The leaders have been telling Mudavadi to back Ruto for the top job or prepare to be relegated to the opposition for another five years.

“Mudavadi doesn't have the vigour displayed by the DP and the political network to rally the country behind him. You can't compare Ruto's political muscle with Mudavadi,” Kimilili MP Didmas Barasa had once told Mudavadi.

Ruto is hoping to sway Western region voting bloc and has been camping in the region since 2017.

Malala started pitching the tent for Mudavadi after a fallout between him and ODM leader Raila Odinga over the County Revenue Allocation formula debate that dragged in the Senate.

Raila slammed Malala for opposing the formula which was awarding Kakamega more funds, saying there was more to his opposition.

“If you a senator whose county is supposed to gain in the new formula opposes it, know there is a problem somewhere,” said the ODM leader when he visited Kakamega in September.