Mudavadi picks UDFP for State House bid
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has chosen the United Democratic Forum Party as the political vehicle on which he will contest the next General Election.
During Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on Tuesday, the DPM said he would formally break ties with ODM at a press conference at Kenyatta International Conference Centre on Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, he declared he would quit ODM as part of his determination to vie for the presidency following a protracted tussle with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his allies.
Sources said Mr Mudavadi, who is also the Local Government minister, spurned parties led by leaders from western Kenya such as New Ford Kenya and Ford Kenya to settle on a fresh party with a national outlook.
It is understood his decision was driven by views of MPs from western Kenya who he met two weeks ago at the Southern Sun Hotel as part of his consultations.
The same message was repeated in Kakamega a few days later when he met councillors and opinion leaders from the region.
And on Saturday in Vihiga County, he said: “I will settle on a party that has a national outlook because I am seeking to become the President of Kenya and not one region.”
UDFP, which was founded by a number of MPs in the current Parliament, among them Mr Abdikadir Mohammed (Mandera Central) and assistant minister Kabando wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini), is one of those which have received registration certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties.
Other MPs associated with UDFP include Industrialisation assistant minister Nderitu Muriithi, Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, and nominated MPs Maison Leshoomo and George Nyamweya.
Those close to the DPM said that his move to make the announcement was prompted by the urge to find a political home especially after the expiry of the deadline for registration of political parties.
UDFP, which was the sixth to gain full registration, has been one of the parties that have been wooing Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta after he left Kanu.
Mr Kenyatta will be announcing The National Alliance (TNA) as his campaign vehicle.
Last week, UDFP announced that it raised Sh10 million online in a span of two months marking a new political fund-raising method.
“The party followers have responded well to the UDFP online appeals for support,” Mr Muriithi said.
According to the MP, the party will use Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity as the main criteria to sponsor candidates seeking its ticket in the next polls.
Modern economy
The UDFP leadership has said that the party wants to transform Kenya to a modern economy driven by the manufacturing sector.
Mr Mudavadi has said that his parting way with ODM was irreversible and that he had withstood many insults by some party members. (READ: Mudavadi: I was pushed out by insults)
In a recent interview with the Nation, he claimed there had been a plot to meddle with the list of delegates to favour one candidate before he left the party.
The minister also raised doubts in ODM’s claims of promoting internal democracy, saying decisions in the party were made by a small clique.
“What you see outside is not what happens inside,” he said.
