Musalia Mudavadi confident ahead of 2017 polls

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi at a past event. FILE PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mudavadi has also addressed several public rallies as well as used churches to drive is agenda.
  • Mr Mudavadi who has been making forays in various regions in the country.

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi is hoping to take another stab at the presidency next year, even as he works to strengthen his party’s structures.

Mr Mudavadi who has been making forays in various regions in the country, garnered a paltry 483,981 votes to emerge third after President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leaders Raila Odinga in 2013.

He says he has neither lost support in his home turf nor among those who supported his bid in 2013.

“We encourage more like-minded people to join us since we stand as a unifying factor in this highly polarised nation,” Mr Mudavadi says.

He has so far visited several counties, including Kericho, Kwale, Lamu, Nakuru, Busia, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Nairobi and Bomet, to market his party.

Mr Mudavadi has also addressed several public rallies as well as used churches to drive is agenda.

The former Deputy Prime Minister announced he is targeting voters he says are disillusioned by “the extremes of Jubilee and Cord”.

“Opinion polls show about 35 per cent of Kenyans are not supportive of either Jubilee or Cord. Kenyans have a chance to usher in an honest and trustworthy leadership under ANC. We are not a third force but the force for uniting Kenyans,” Mr Mudavadi says.

However, several factors will determine how he fares in the race. “Mr Mudavadi has all it takes to be president and even though the tide may change as has been the case before, how he juggles his cards will determine his success,” says Mr Yusuf Chanzu, Vihiga MP.

His coming out as the only force to counter the influence of Cord leader Raila Odinga, who still commands a huge following in his western Kenya backyard, has been hailed by his supporters as a step in the right direction.