Mudavadi rejects Raila invite, says he will be in 2017 ballot

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi begun a two day tour of Vihiga and Kakamega counties with a promise to claim back the support of the Luyha from Cord leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking at Chavakali in Vihiga, on Saturday, Mr Mudavadi told his supporters that he was readying himself for a bruising battle with the Cord leaders through his new party.

“When I was in UDF, people said I was wearing a shirt belonging to someone else. Now I am putting on a new shirt made by a tailor from here,” he said amid cheers.

The former deputy premier said he was preparing to take over the mantle of leadership of the country and dismissed those who branded him a coward in 2013 to prepare for a major battle come 2017.

“Some people have tried a number of times but have not made it. I have only tried once and I am ready to do it again,” said Mr Mudavadi.

POSITIONS FILLED

The tour comes in the backdrop of Mr Odinga’s tour of Vihiga County last Thursday where he asked Mr Mudavadi to rejoin ODM, saying his position “was still intact”.

“I am asking Mudavadi to return to ODM as his position is still vacant,” said Mr Odinga who was in the county to attend the Second Annual Lake Region Agribusiness Conference.

The former deputy prime minister left ODM for UDF in the run up to the 2013 General Election. By then he was Mr Odinga’s deputy party leader.

But the ANC party leader declined the offer, saying the position Mr Odinga was referring to had already been filled by two deputies – Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega Governor) and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho.

“I showed them I’m not a coward they were referring to. I am ready and I know with your support I will make it,” he said. Several grassroots leaders from Vihiga accompanied him.