Western leaders set for joint campaigns
What you need to know:
- The first meeting was convened by Mr Atwoli to try and convince the various presidential hopefuls from the region to back one of them for the seat.
- The Cotu boss announced that he would reach out to other presidential hopefuls from outside western Kenya.
- Mr Atwoli has previously rubbished reports that the meetings are aimed at persuading Mr Wetang’ula and Mr Jirongo to support Mr Mudavadi’s bid.
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Trade minister Moses Wetang’ula and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo will hold joint rallies to back a single presidential candidate from Western Province.
The three presidential hopefuls held a second meeting in Nairobi on Monday under the chairmanship of Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) secretary-general Francis Atwoli and resolved to hold the joint rallies from next month.
A statement from the trade unionist said: “The three candidates’ campaign will be held with a view to rallying behind one presidential candidate from western Kenya.”
Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa who has also declared interest in the presidency on a New Ford-Kenya ticket was not at the Monday meeting.
Mr Wamalwa also did not attend the first one at the Mara Serena Lodge in Narok County two weeks ago even though he had been invited through nominated MP Musikari Kombo.
Mr Atwoli’s statement added that there had been efforts to reach out to Mr Wamalwa and added:
“We will continue to respect his views, hence the need to reach out to him. We have not given up on Mr Wamalwa, we are still looking for him so that we all move together.”
The Cotu boss announced that he would reach out to other presidential hopefuls from outside western Kenya.
“I will start talking to each of them this weekend so that we do not polarise this country along tribal lines.”
The first meeting was convened by Mr Atwoli to try and convince the various presidential hopefuls from the region to back one of them for the seat.
Denied reports
Mr Atwoli has previously rubbished reports that the meetings are aimed at persuading Mr Wetang’ula and Mr Jirongo to support Mr Mudavadi’s bid.
“This was a consultative meeting in a bid to have leaders from western Kenya work together as we approach the General Election and with an objective of narrowing their parties and supporters towards peaceful voting as well as to extensively explore on their unity as leaders from western Kenya,” Mr Atwoli explained after the Mara Serena meeting.
Mr Mudavadi left the Orange Democratic Party, that is led by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and will contest the presidency on a United Democratic Forum ticket.
Mr Wetang’ula is to run for the presidency on a Ford-Kenya ticket while Mr Jirongo recently declared his presidential bid on a Federal Party of Kenya ticket.
