Wamalwa vows to back Mudavadi if picked

Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa and DPM Musalia Mudavadi.  [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

 

By Peter Atsiaya

Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa says he will support Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi if he wins the presidential ticket in the TNA-URP--UDF alliance.

But Wamalwa said he was firmly in the coalition bringing together New Ford-Kenya, New Vision Party of Kenya and Federal Party of Kenya, but was willing to support Mudavadi if he were picked as a presidential candidate.

There was speculation Wamalwa would join Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) after he held talks with the PM on Thursday in Nairobi. “I want to assure Mudavadi that I am ready to support him if he gets the ticket for presidency of the alliance between him, William Ruto, and Uhuru Kenyatta,” said the Saboti MP.

He was quick to add: “He should be ready to support me if my coalition picks me as its flagbearer.”

The two political foes had met during the Masinde Muliro University graduation presided over by President Kibaki in Kakamega on Friday.

In response to Wamalwa’s sentiments, Mudavadi said he was ready to work with him. “It is good Wamalwa has talked here and I want to say I am ready to work with him,” said Mudavadi. The DPM kept off the political storm caused by attempts by some leaders to prevail upon Uhuru to step down for him.

Forty MPs allied to Uhuru have resisted the move and threatened to pull out of the alliance if the DPM is sacrificed in favour of Mudavadi.

Wamalwa has been unsettled since he left the G7 Alliance. Yesterday, Kibaki challenged leaders seeking elective seats to practice issues-oriented politics in their campaigns. “I want to appeal to those seeking political office to raise the bar in the political discourse by focusing on issues,” said Kibaki.

He added: “Let us be peaceful people who tolerate different opinions. We must enrich our political debates to ensure economic prosperity and social justice for all.”

Earlier, Wamalwa held talks with Trade Minister Moses Wetangula, who sources told The Standard On Saturday, tried to convince him (Wamalwa) to join the Cord.