Atwoli refutes claims that Jubilee funded Mudavadi coronation
Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi when he was installed Luhyia spokesperson by Western Council of Elders chairman Philip Masinde (right) and Nabongo Peter Mumias at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega, on December 31, 2016. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Atwoli further dismissed Mr Wetangula’s claim that the ceremony held at the Bukhungu Stadium last Saturday was sponsored by Jubilee.
- Mr Atwoli maintained that he had previously sponsored initiatives to unite the community’s political leaders.
Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Friday hit out at Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula, claiming he is in panic after Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi was installed as the Luhya spokesman.
Mr Atwoli further dismissed Mr Wetang'ula’s claim that the ceremony held at Bukhungu Stadium last Saturday was sponsored by Jubilee.
“Such claims are, to say the least, laughable and simply ridiculous and can only be attributed to a person in a serious state of panic,” he stated on Friday in a statement.
He added that he funded the selection process and ceremony with his own money.
“How would Jubilee benefit from such an event when the very individual being installed is a competitor out to oust them from power,” he wondered.
“For the record, my good friend Wetang'ula can attest to the fact that on Sunday 14th October, 2012, I personally airlifted him together with Mr Mudavadi and Mr Cyrus Jirongo to the Mara Serena for Luhya unity talks,” he added.
ELICITED MIXED REACTION
Mr Wetang'ula has taken a dim view of the ceremony, which saw the Amani National Congress leader crowned the community’s leader in a move that has sparked mixed reactions from the political class.
The Ford Kenya leader, his deputy Boni Khalwale and politicians allied to the Jubilee Party skipped the event attended by Kakamega and Vihiga governors Wycliffe Oparanya and Moses Akaranga, as well as several MPs from the region.
Mr Wetang'ula is locked in a supremacy battle with Mr Mudavadi, who has caught national attention by pushing for the formation of a national super alliance movement as the surest way of defeating Jubilee in the August election.
Mr Atwoli maintained that he had previously sponsored initiatives to unite the community’s political leaders.
