CS says Uhuru will win race as Wiper watches Cord moves

Water Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa has asked top Western Kenya politicians to forget the presidency.

He spoke a day after Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula announced his bid for the top seat.

Wiper leaders, on their part, said the memorandum signed among Cord leaders will be discussed when time comes to identify the presidential candidate.

According to the CS, who has defied calls to refrain from active participation in politics, none of the key Western Kenya leaders can attract national support for State House.

Mr Wamalwa described campaigns for a single Luhya presidential candidate in 2017 as “a waste of time.”

JUBILEE VICTORY

He said President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party will easily clinch victory in next year’s poll, adding that leaders from Western were busy engaging in divisive politics and undermining one another.

The CS said it was laughable for those who have declared they will contest the presidency to be preoccupied with forming new parties instead of mobilising communities to register as voters in large numbers.

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo have declared they will contest the presidency.

Wiper’s Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao said it was the right of every individual to run for president if they qualify but he cautioned that Ukambani people were watching events keenly as they unfolded.

CORD MOU

He said Mr Wetang’ula is bound by an MoU that was signed by Cord principals.

In the MoU, Mr Raila Odinga promised to support Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the 2017 elections.

Mr Odinga’s key lieutenants are of the view that the MoU cannot be seen to have come into effect because the coalition did not win the presidency.

“As a party, we are very serious. The contents of the M0U are very clear and we are awaiting nothing less than support from Raila. 

Unless we are given a serious reason why this won’t happen, they must know that there are other options for us. All options are on the table,” said Mr Munyao.

Wiper Secretary-General Omar Hassan (Mombasa Senator) said the announcement by Mr Wetang’ula was not a contradiction and all aspects would be considered.

“When time comes for a joint candidate, every aspect will be considered. All past commitments like the MoU and new developments like Mr Wetang’ula’s announcement will all be on the table and the coalition will make an informed decision,” said Mr Omar.