Mudavadi move forces Western Orange MPs to declare loyalty

The defection of Mumias MP Ben Washiali who was one of those tipped to inherit the Local Government ministry left by Deputy Musalia Mudavadi has turned a spotlight on the remaining loyalists of Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Western Province. (READ: Mudavadi exit from ODM divides MPs’ loyalty)

Mr Washiali, the ODM Deputy whip, was one of Mr Odinga’s staunchest allies, but indications all was not well emerged when he did not attend the PM’s meeting at his constituency last weekend.

It was later reported that the MP had been taken ill the previous day and that the PM later visited him at the Nairobi Hospital.

The PM’s other ally in the larger Butere-Mumias region Wycliffe Oparanya was outside the country on official duty.

While making the announcement on Saturday, Mr Washiali accused the PM of condoning corruption by failing to sack Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o over the National Hospital Insurance Fund scandal.

“I have decided that I will support [Mr] Mudavadi because he is one man who does not know tribalism and can ensure equity and equality in distribution of resources,” he said from Mumias.

Western MPs are reportedly finding it difficult to weather the Mudavadi wave that has been rising ever since he first staked a claim to the ODM presidential ticket last December.

But matters came to a head when Mr Mudavadi officially decamped to UDF two weeks ago where he has launched a bid for the presidency.

Pundits say Mudavadi’s move will significantly alter the political landscape in Western Province and force politicians back to the drawing board.

But Prof Chris Wanjala of the University of Nairobi says Western Province is not a homogenous community and that the divide would become clearer as election campaigning enters the homestretch.

“There are 17 ethnic communities who are not as cohesive as it might look from the outside. Talk that Mr Mudavadi has the region’s votes in his pocket is not really true,” he said.

Mumias Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop Beneah Salala waded into the debate saying Mr Washiali could have checked himself into the hospital because of the mood on the ground.

Avoiding meeting

“I do not believe Mr Washiali was actually sick. I think he rightly read the mood and cleverly sought a way of avoiding the meeting. If I came to your place and find you and your wife are not present to receive me there is definitely something wrong,” he said.

The bishop added that Mr Washiali had sought his advice on whether to take the Local Government ministry formerly held by Mr Mudavadi if the position was offered to him. The docket has since been given to Westlands MP Fred Gumo in an acting capacity.

“I think he took my advice as a spiritual leader given he did not attend the Mumias meeting,” said Bishop Salala, adding that what aggravated the mood on the ground was the backdrop of the Sabatia mayhem.

“So bad was the situation that Mr Odinga’s entourage did not enter Mumias through Kakamega. They had to go use the longer Kima-Luanda-Msalaba, Butere-Kero road. (READ: Chaos as Mudavadi, Raila supporters clash)

Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba, who headed a caravan that traversed all four Western Province counties of Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia as well as Trans Nzoia, dismissed talk of hostility towards Western MPs as “cheap propaganda to shore up a fledgling campaign.”

“We had a route to follow from Sabatia. We stopped at Mbale, the capital of Maragoli and there was no hostility at all. Why did we have to pass through Kakamega whose streets we had combed earlier during our caravan?” he asked.

Mr Namwamba said ODM would wage war in the province to ensure the party’s dominance and that “will see even Mr Mudavadi suffer the 2002 fate.”

The DPM’s resurgence also seems to have overshadowed other leaders from the region who have shown desire to succeed President Kibaki.

They are Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa, who is closely associated with the G7 Alliance, Ford-Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula who is also Trade minister and MP for Sirisia, and his Lugari counterpart Cyrus Jirongo who is leaning towards the United Republican Party (URP). Assistant minister for Lands and Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli also wants to be president.

But most of these presidential aspirants have warned that the former Local Government minister would not have it easy. Mr Wamalwa, who is also the Saboti MP, said Mr Mudavadi has to face competition from his colleagues, adding he should not expect to become the automatic candidate from the region.

“The issue of Mr Mudavadi appearing to be the strongest candidate from the region will not persuade me to step down from the presidential race,” Mr Wamalwa insisted.

The developments have left local ODM MPs sharply divided in loyalty between Mr Odinga and Mr Mudavadi.

MPs Justus Mugali (Shinyalu), George Khaniri (Hamisi), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Evans Akula (Khwisero), David Were (Matungu), Manyala Keya (Lurambi) and Chris Okemo (Nambale) have thrown their support behind Mr Mudavadi.

Those who have stuck with the PM include Dr Paul Otuoma (Funyula), Mr Wilbur Ottichillo (Emuhaya), Mr Namwamba , Mr Alfred Khang’ati (Kanduyi) and Mr Alfred Sambu (Webuye). Mr Oparanya (Butere), Mr Alfred Odhiambo (Butula), and Mr Sospeter Ojaamong’ (Teso) appear to be weighing their options still.

The numbers, however, so far favour Mr Mudavadi as MPs Boni Khalwale (Ikolomani) and Soita Shitanda (Malava) both of New Ford-Kenya support him. Mr Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) supports Mr William Ruto.

Additional reporting by Abiud Ochieng’ and John Shilitsa