ODM, ANC tussle in Kakamega County could benefit Jubilee

The tussle between ODM and the Amani National Congress party in Kakamega County is threatening to tear the opposition coalition apart, in turn giving the ruling Jubilee Party an upper hand.

The coalition’s affiliate parties face a fresh battle among themselves for county seats in their Western region stronghold.

Both have fielded candidates for various seats in the region and their infighting could give the Jubilee Party the advantage of winning crucial parliamentary seats.

This was witnessed on Tuesday when ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi was in Lugari Sub-County to promote his new coalition that seeks to oust President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee administration while at the same time campaigning for his party’s candidates.

ANC CANDIDATES

He held a series of rallies in Likuyani, Panpaper, Lumakanda and Matete grounds where he asked voters to gift him with ANC leaders in the August 8 elections and make his stake in the Nasa coalition stronger.

“I need enough solid support from my political base to spearhead our agenda in the Nasa coalition that’s why you need to vote in ANC leaders. Please don’t let me down,” Mr Mudvadi said.

At the same time, ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya was holding a parallel rally in the region with a counter message.

Although both leaders are drumming up support for Nasa presidential candidate Raila Odinga, they are promoting candidates from their parties in other elective seats.

VOTE ODM CANDIDATES

Governor Oparanya called on locals to vote for ODM candidates saying it will boost his administration if re-elected.

He noted that without a majority in the county assembly, it would be hard for him to push his agenda in the House.

“Let us vote in candidates from ODM to strengthen our party and give Raila enough foot soldiers when he becomes president,” he said.

Mr Oparanya, who was accompanied by Lugari MP Ayub Savula and various candidates said after elections, the coalition will go back to review who has the highest number of legislators.

JOINT RALLIES

Mr Savula who will be battling it out with former Kakamega chief of staff Nabwii Nabwera of ODM challenged leaders to hold joint rallies to enable voters pick the best.

Mr Savula said by doing so, they will strengthen the coalition, promote healthy competition and avoid infighting among themselves.

“Joint rallies between Nasa affiliate parties is very appropriate because we will be able to consolidate and put all our votes into one basket to outdo our main rival Jubilee,” he said.

Nasa is Mr Mudavadi’s brainchild born sometimes in 2016, before it snowballed, taking in other parties such as ODM, Wiper, Ford Kenya and Chama Cha Mashinani.

In 2013, the ANC leader last contested the presidency, coming in third after getting 483,981 votes.

Nine in every ten votes he got came from his western Kenya backyard.