Musalia scuttles plan for single Western candidate

Amani National Congress Party leaders Musalia Mudavadi speaking to the press after announcing his bid for the 2017 presidency at the newly registered party headquarters in Nairobi on August 5, 2015. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Speaking in Kakamega on Saturday, Mr Mudavadi said it was up to voters to take their responsibility seriously and back a credible candidate with a national appeal.
  • He said he had offered himself early enough for the presidency at the next polls so that he could focus attention on strengthening the ANC at the grassroots in the 47 counties.
  • Mr Mudavadi later addressed party leaders from Kakamega County before attending a funeral in Lurambi constituency. Later, he met leaders from Matungu constituency at Nabongo Cultural Centre.

Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed calls for a single candidate from western region to contest the presidency in 2017.

He said those crusading for a single candidate from the region to battle for the presidency are wasting time.

Speaking in Kakamega on Saturday, Mr Mudavadi said it was up to voters to take their responsibility seriously and back a credible candidate with a national appeal.

He said he had offered himself early enough for the presidency at the next polls so that he could focus attention on strengthening the ANC at the grassroots in the 47 counties.

Mr Mudavadi later addressed party leaders from Kakamega County before attending a funeral in Lurambi constituency. Later, he met leaders from Matungu constituency at Nabongo Cultural Centre.

“In 2013, I was the only one from the region to vie for the presidency while in Central Kenya there were four candidates but the region went ahead to produce the President,” he said Mr Mudavadi.

The four were Uhuru Kenyatta, Peter Kenneth, Martha Karua and Paul Muite.

He said the region’s voter turnout remained disappointing compared with Central, Rift Valley and Nyanza.

On teachers’ salaries, Mr Mudavadi said the government should ensure they are paid the 50 to 60 per cent increment directed by the courts to avoid disruption of schools.