Raila, Mudavadi meet at Clinton’s unveiling

Cord leader Raila Odinga (third left) with his ANC and Narc Kenya counterparts, Mr Musalia Mudavadi and Martha Karua received during the Democratic Party Convention in Philadelphia in the United States. PHOTO | CORESPONDENT

What you need to know:

  • Sources close to Mr Odinga and Mr Mudavadi said the two discussed political developments in the country.
  • The Monday meeting comes against the backdrop of heightened political activities in western Kenya.
  • Last week, Mr Mudavadi’s supporters disrupted Mr Odinga’s tour of Vihiga County while demanding that he (Mr Odinga) backs the ANC leader next year.
  • Mr Odinga’s close allies view Mr Mudavadi as a formidable ally not only in western Kenya but also across the country heading to the 2017 general election.

Cord leader Raila Odinga on Monday met Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi on the sidelines of the Democratic Party convention in Philadelphia, USA, raising speculation of a possible political deal.

Although both sides were quick to downplay the significance of the meeting — which was also attended by Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua — sources close to Mr Odinga and Mr Mudavadi said the two discussed political developments in the country.

“It was not a scheduled meeting, they just happened to be at the same place at the same time,” said a close aide of Mr Odinga’s who requested anonymity. “It is, however, also true that allies of the two have been trying to broker a political deal.”

Mr Mudavadi, who spoke to the Nation on phone, said that he and Mr Odinga “coincidentally met” at the Democratic Party’s National Convention where Mrs Hillary Clinton was to be endorsed as the party’s flagbearer ahead of the November election.

Mrs Clinton will face off with Mr Donald Trump of the Republican Party and several other candidates from smaller parties.

“We have not heard any formal meeting as such so there is nothing to talk about. By the way, we are staying the same hotel,” Mr Mudavadi said.

The Monday meeting comes against the backdrop of heightened political activities in western Kenya, where both enjoy considerable support but where Mr Odinga is facing rebellion from Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba and his Funyula counterpart, Dr Paul Otuoma. Mr Namwamba earlier this month resigned as Secretary-General of ODM while Dr Otuoma quit his post of vice-chairman.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, who also hails from the region and is a close Odinga ally, also caused a stir after calling on Mr Odinga to withdraw from the 2017 presidential race and support him or their other ally, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper.

New Ford Kenya, which also draws its core support from the region, has dissolved in readiness to join the yet to be formed Jubilee Party, to be headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, Mr William Ruto.

DISRUPTED ODINGA'S RALLY

Last week, Mr Mudavadi’s supporters disrupted Mr Odinga’s tour of Vihiga County while demanding that he (Mr Odinga) backs the ANC leader next year.

Mr Odinga was in the region to consolidate his support only to run into the pro-Mudavadi crowd which demanded that he returns the favour that the ANC leader extended to him during the 2007 election.

Though Mr Mudavadi has refrained from commenting on the latest developments in his backyard, he has been vocal in calling on the western region to shun Jubilee’s overtures in the area and instead consolidate their support in ANC.

On Tuesday, he urged Jubilee and Cord leaders to keep off the region which is seeking a fresh political direction before the next elections.

“The people in western are redefining themselves and should be allowed space to decide their destiny. Aligning either with Jubilee or Cord will be extreme,” he said.

Mr Odinga’s close allies view Mr Mudavadi as a formidable ally not only in western Kenya but also across the country heading to the 2017 general election.

On Tuesday, the ANC leader backed Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli’s warning to politicians from western Kenya defecting to the yet to be formed Jubilee party.

In a statement, Mr Mudavadi called on politicians from the region to join ANC and ensure that the region votes as a bloc.