Mudavadi tells western leaders to ditch Jubilee

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi on Saturday warned MPs from the region working with Jubilee to “return home” or face the wrath of voters next year.

Mr Mudavadi and other western politicians are lobbying for a single presidential candidate from the community.

Leaders on the spot are Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, his Ikolomani counterpart Benard Shinali and Navakholo’s Emmanuel Wangwe.

In January, the MPs led a delegation to Deputy President William Ruto’s Sugoi home.

“The visit was in bad taste” said Lugari MP Ayubu Savula.

“It is said some Luhya leaders chose five people and took them to Sugoi where they were given Sh2,000 each. This is disrespectful,” he said.

Mr Mudavadi advised all western politicians to join ANC.

“We are building our own brand and political party. We have sold it and it is now countrywide,” said Mr Mudavadi.

“Shinali and the others should return home now. They should go and tell Jubilee that they were visitors and it is time to return home,” he said.

CRITICISM

Mr Mudavadi criticised politicians who were elected to Parliament through his former UDF party but were now working with Jubilee.

“We now have devolution that brought funds to the counties. No leader should tell us he or she is in bed with the government to develop his or her area,” he said during the burial of Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi’s mother.

Also present was Mr Shinali, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, Bonchari MP Mr Zebedayo Opore, Charles Gimose (Hamisi) and the chairman of the western parliamentary caucus, Mr John Bunyasi (Nambale).

Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli, who also attended the burial, asked western leaders to unite ahead of the polls.

He said he would soon meet senators and governors from the region before calling a major rally at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega County.

“The Luhyas will have only one presidential candidate,” said the unionist.

In his defence, Mr Shinali said he was working with Jubilee to develop his Ikolomani area.

He said he also had a good working relationship with the county government of Kakamega.

Other leaders took issue with past pronouncements by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Mr Khaniri and said the two leaders were disrespecting Mr Mudavadi.

They said the community had no place in Jubilee and Cord as the two coalitions discriminated against them.