Western leaders back rotational presidency

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi with COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Leaders from Western have backed calls for a rotational presidency, saying it would go a long way in addressing ethnic divisions triggered by presidential polls.

The leaders led by Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Amani National Congress boss Musalia Mudavadi and a host of lawmakers spoke yesterday at Dinah Muchelule’s burial at Emalindi village in Khwisero.

Dinah was the mother of High Court judge Aggrey Muchelule.

Acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Court of Appeal President Justice William Ouko and over 20 judges and magistrates also attended the burial.

The leaders also dismissed the hustler and dynasty narrative being driven by Deputy President William Ruto on grounds that it was a recipe for chaos.

Rotational presidency

"Those against President Uhuru Kenyatta’s call for a rotational presidency are either with us or on their own. We are refusing Ruto not because he is a Kalenjin, but for playing dirty politics,” Atwoli said.

The Cotu boss said Mudavadi was best placed to succeed Uhuru in 2022 "so that he can work around the clock to revive the bleeding economy".

"Mudavadi, you are now an anointed leader after Uhuru gave you the password to the presidency during the burial of your mother. Do not walk alone; go out, make friends and bring everyone on board. This is your time; don’t squander the opportunity."

The ANC boss said time had come for the country to get the right leadership. "We don’t want leaders who walk around with money in sacks and no one has the courage to ask them where they get such a colossal amount of money. Let’s give another community a chance to lead the country as opposed to two communities dominating the presidency."