Musalia Mudavadi is unreachable, Western MPs say

President William Ruto, joined by Prime Cabinet Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Wolf Power spectator stage during the 2023 WRC Safari Rally on June 25, 2023. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

A section of Western politicians has hit at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi for being unreachable.

The politicians led by the western region parliamentary caucus chairperson John Waluke now say by the day it is becoming impossible to access Mudavadi compared to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

Speaking during a fund drive in Busia on Sunday, the Waluke led brigade appealed to Mudavadi to be easy with the caucus, whose main agenda is to whip Luhyas towards producing one of their own as president in 2032.

“Whenever we (caucus leaders) call on Mudavadi and and Wetangula to the planning table, Wetangula is always quicker to respond than the former deputy Prime Minister. We want people like Wetang’ula not those who shun picking our calls once they acquire key government offices,” said Waluke.

Waluke who doubles up as Sirisia MP said most of the Luhya politicians are of the view that Mudavadi is isolating himself from matters to do with Luhya unity.

“We want him to be humble and respond to our calls when needed. This is why we are proud of Wetangula, especially in such times when he is working hard to bring the Luhya Nation together towards taking over from William Ruto,” he said.

Through a riddle, the three-term MP suggested the caucus would gauge who was better placed to take the mantle from Ruto come 2032.

“In our community if you have a weak bull you go sell it or slaughter it for a feast and move on with the one that rightly serves your interests,” he said.

The company of over 20 MPs said they were happy with what Wetangula was doing for the Luhya nation despite the party affiliations.

They included Vihiga Woman MP and ANC Deputy Party Leader Beatrice Adagala, Lugari’s Nabii Nabwera and Mumias West MP John Naicca among others.

Walukhe’s remarks were echoed by Adagala who said Wetangula is turning out to be a unifying figure in the region as opposed to Mudavadi.

“You carry the aspirations of the community and we want you to now take charge of negotiating for the revival of the sugar sector, which has been the economic mainstay for the region,” Adagala said.

In his remarks, Nabwera was quick to remind the Kalenjin Nation to keep their words of rewarding Wetang’ula heavily, which were pronounced by President William Ruto’s home MP David Kiplagat.

The Soy MP, whose presence at the meeting remained odd but significant even as he insisted he had been invited, openly brought what he called ‘gratitude from Kelenjins’.

“The contribution of Mulembe votes towards Ruto’s presidency was priceless. We saw it, and we are even witnessing how you are supporting us in government,” he said.

“My appeal to you is that you continue supporting our son (Ruto) for ten years, and when the right time comes we shall do the needful to Wetangula.”