Mudavadi: Why I won’t accept Jubilee cabinet slot

Amani Coalition boss Musalia Mudavadi is a man at the crossroads.

If he takes a Jubilee cabinet appointment, he would have to abandon his political machine with just two years to the General Election.

If on the other hand he takes up such an offer, it could give him the visibility and platform that he could subsequently convert into political advantage.
For the time being, he has decided that he does not want it.

“I have said times without number that I was President Uhuru Kenyatta’s competitor in the last elections and my focus still remains the same. A cabinet post is something that would tie my hands,” he told the Sunday Nation yesterday.

But the possibility lingers. This is especially so because of reports that he is still prominently on the radar of President Uhuru Kenyatta for appointment.
In law, a cabinet secretary is not allowed to engage in partisan politics as they are public servants.

Through key figures from Western region like Mr Mudavadi, Mr Kenyatta is keen to gain a foothold in that part of the country.

Information obtained from impeccable sources revealed that Mr Kenyatta had met the former deputy prime minister at a private residence. Mr Mudavadi denies this.

DECLINED THE OFFER

The agenda was to bring him on board but he reportedly declined the offer, instead suggesting that the former Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa be appointed.

Mr Wamalwa was appointed to steer the water and irrigation docket.

Mr Mudavadi has backed the President in appointing Mr Wamalwa as well as the nomination of Maj Gen (rtd) Gordon Kihalangwa as the new Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Interior. The move also saw Ms Monica Juma moved to the Cabinet as its secretary.

“The question people should be asking is whether there has been sufficient integration in previous appointments by Uhuru for which the answer is no. Then why do you want to complain if he is now doing the right thing?”

He said the appointments were not meant to see opposition areas from where the appointees have come join the government like some have suggested.

“When Lazarus Amayo was appointed Kenya’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, was it meant to divide his people or to sway them to join government? Absolutely not. Neither is Mwathethe’s appointment (the new chief of the defense forces Samson Mwathethe). What is wrong if a Kenyan from western is appointed to the Cabinet?” he asked.

Both Mr Wamalwa and Mr Kihalangwa are from western Kenya. Mr Mudavadi asked Kenyans to support Mr Kenyatta as he reorganises his government to achieve efficiency. He also touched on his relationship with Deputy President William Ruto and the suggestion that Mr Ruto would be uncomfortable with Mr Mudavadi in government.

“I enjoy a perfect relationship with the DP. It is not very long ago when we attended the same function in western,” he said.

Mr Ruto has kept a notable presence in Western Kenya. He has held numerous fundraisers and presided over many other functions in what declares the importance he attaches to the region. The UDF boss acknowledges this fact.

“Let’s face it, every politician will want to find ways of gaining more ground and this is not unique to him (DP).”

The ongoing purge on graft by President Kenyatta is expected to occasion some fallout in government. Sunday Nation has established that a senior figure who is among those forced to step aside to pave the way for investigations into the allegations they face is shopping for an alternative political affiliation.