Musalia Mudavadi steps up political meetings

Fro left to right: Politician Peter Kenneth, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, former former head of Civil Service Sally Kosgei and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi hold a meeting at a Nairobi hotel on May 29, 2020. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • The meeting comes at a time politicians seeking to run for the presidency in the 2022 General Election are seeking to build for political alliances. 
  • Mr Mudavadi came to the defence of his political brainchild, the National Super Alliance (Nasa), denying that the coalition is dead.

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi on Friday held talks with former presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth and Narc Kenya boss Martha Karua at Nairobi’s Village Market.

The ANC boss, who was expected to attend a meeting at the home of Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli on Friday, did not show up or send any representative.

The discussions were also attended by Ms Sally Kosgei, the former head of Public Service.

A statement from Mr Mudavadi’s office said the leaders discussed political issues, the country’s state of the economy, the management of Nairobi and the Covid-19 situation.

“ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi on Friday afternoon met with Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, and former Head of Public Service ambassador Sally Kosgei. They discussed the challenges facing the nation and agreed to jointly with other like-minded people put heads together in search for sustainable solutions,” the statement said.

ALLIANCES

The meeting comes at a time politicians seeking to run for the presidency in the 2022 General Election are seeking to build for political alliances. 

A source said the leaders want to forge a united front that can unite the country and help restore the economy that has received a heavy beating from the Covid-19 pandemic and also create an environment to attract investors. 

Although the leaders did not disclose much about their meeting, its significance is not lost on political observers, who said they could be angling themselves for a formidable alliance as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s succession race gathers momentum.

“Less than two years into the 2022 elections, political alliances are shaping up. The meeting must be part of the many political realignments,” said political analyst Jesse Karanja.

NASA ALIVE

This is not the only meeting the ANC party leader has held lately. In the past one week, he has met with various leaders, among them Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula and several politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto, including Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, MPs Didmus Barasa, Dan Wanyama and John Waluke and Senator Kimani Wamatangi.

Mr Mudavadi’s meetings have sparked speculation about a possible political alliance as the clock ticks towards the 2022 elections.

Mr Kenneth, a former Gatanga MP, has in the past expressed interest in vying for the presidency.

Mr Mudavadi on Thursday came to the defence of his political brainchild, the National Super Alliance (Nasa), denying that the coalition is dead.

In an interview with the Nation, Mr Mudavadi said the coalition is not “dead” as claimed by ODM party leader Raila Odinga. 

“Nasa is still very intact. In 2017, we entered into a five-year coalition, which we deposited at the Registrar of Political Parties. Any of the four parties that wants to leave must write to the Registrar of Political Parties, but so far none has done so, that means Nasa is still alive,” he said.

But maintained that any of the coalition partners that wants to join another coalition is free to do so.