Mudavadi feared defeat, says Raila

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday accused Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi of having decamped from the Orange party because of fear that he would be defeated in the presidential nominations.

Speaking in Kibera, Nairobi, Mr Odinga said Mr Mudavadi’s departure had not affected ODM, pointing out that the Luhya were still overwhelmingly in the party.

The PM said he was confident of an ODM victory at the election, adding that the party was still strong despite Mr Mudavadi’s defection to the United Democratic Forum.

“Mr Mudavadi left because he feared defeat. Now all Luhyas are with us. ODM is for all Kenyans. It is popular in Coast, North Eastern and everywhere else. Despite vicious campaigns against ODM, it is still strong,” Mr Odinga said at Kamukunji grounds.

He said that he stood for unity of all Kenyans and their participation in the electoral process.

He said despite a court decision that elections should be held on March 4 next year, ODM was ready for the polls any time, even sooner.

Mr Mudavadi, campaigning in Nairobi, cautioned Kenyans against divisive politics, saying the country needed to rally around a leadership focused on improving the plight of the poor.

“My presidency will be geared towards uplifting the standards of people living in the slum areas. I will provide people with water and clean up the environment,” he said.

The deputy premier said his government would regulate food prices. “Prices of food commodities continue to skyrocket every day, we need to put a check in place,” he said at a rally at Kangemi.

In a series of rallies in Kajiado North constituency, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said the G7 Alliance would nominate one presidential candidate to face ODM on March 4.

Mr Kenyatta, who expects to be The National Alliance’s torch bearer, argued that it was necessary to form a formidable union to take on Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s party next year.

In Meru, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and United Republican Party (URP) presidential aspirant accused political rivals of using the courts to frustrate his political ambitions.

Mr Ruto said if his opponents were ready for democracy, they should let all aspirants go to the ballot and let Kenyans decide.

By Jeremiah Kiplagat, Vincent Agoya, Dickson Mwiti, Lucas Baraza, Molly Owour and Jeremiah Kiplagat