Mudavadi endorses county power sharing deal

By Peter Atsiaya and Francis Ontomwa

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has endorsed a proposal by leaders in Vihiga County on sharing top elective seats in the General Election.

Addressing a rally at Mbale Municipal Council grounds at the end of his four-day tour of Western region, Mudavadi said Emuhaya District has been allocated the governor’s post.

“Hamisi District has been given the senator’s slot while Vihiga where I come from should rally behind my candidature for president,” said the UDF presidential aspirant.

Emuhaya is dominated by the Banyore sub-tribe of the Luhya community while Hamisi and Vihiga are homes for the Tiriki and Maragoli and Mudavadi’s move is aimed at ensuring the county is not divided ahead of March 4 General Election.

Fair nominations

Mudavadi noted he wanted UDF to win the entire elective seats in the county, adding that leaders from the region still in ODM were free to join his party.

“I don’t want to be a President and the governor in my county is from another political party.

We would have free and fair party nominations to ensure our candidates trounce our opponents,” said the Sabatia MP.

Mudavadi later addressed an interdenominational meeting at Ivona Primary School where church leaders led by Bishop Isaac Wawire and Rev Wycliffe Ganira backed his bid for presidency and prayed for him.

Assistant Minister George Khaniri and former MP Mark Too and Sabatia parliamentary aspirants Alfred Agoi and Mweresa Eboso accompanied him.

The power sharing deal would hurt political ambitions of former Public Service Minister Moses Akaranga and former Permanent Secretary Gaylord Avedi who were gunning for the governor’s seat, as they do not reside in Emuhaya.

High chances

Leaders from Emuhaya running for governor’s seat on a UDF ticket are University lecturers Dr Jirus Amayi and Prof Mwanje Inonda, former area MP Sande Mukhuna and ODM County chairman Kennedy Butiko.

Mr Khaniri who is the Hamisi MP is the only leader who has declared interest in the senate seat and the deal enhances his chances of becoming the first occupant of the position.

“I have the experience having served as an MP for close to 20 years. I understand the county better and residents would not be doing any mistake by electing me,” said Khaniri.

Mudavadi told the clergy to give their flock direction as the country approaches elections.

He added that church leaders were respected by their faithful and they should guide them in decision making and selecting the best leaders to promote development.