Musalia Mudavadi vindicated for skipping Raila "swearing in"

Three Nasa leaders from Western on Sunday said they had "forgiven" ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi for finally speaking his mind on the January 30 mock swearing in of ODM leader Raila Odinga.

ODM Secretary-General Mr Edwin Sifuna, Kakamega Senator Cleopas Malala and nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi said their decision was informed by the story in the Sunday Nation that quoted the ANC leader speaking on the controversial swearing-in.

Speaking at Madeya in Hamisi in Vihiga County, the trio said Mr Mudavadi’s statement that the other Nasa co-principals including himself did not believe in the ceremony was a better confession on their absence.

The story published in the Nation quoted Mr Mudavadi saying himself, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetang'ula did not believe in the swearing-in.

ATTACKED NASA LEADERS

The three leaders, who had continuously attacked the top Nasa leaders for giving the ceremony a wide berth said they had been vindicated for taking on their seniors.

The first to speak was Mr Osotsi who said Mr Mudavadi's camp had treated the country to drama over the January 30 event.

Mr Osotsi recalled at one point ANC Secretary-General Mr Barrack Muluka had informed the country that Mr Odinga had given out a Nigerian number on which he would call them.

"At another incident, they told us they were locked in a house," said Mr Osotsi.

He added: "Now Mudavadi has told us the truth. For saying that they did not believe in the swearing in, we have forgiven him. Anything else we have been hearing were sideshows."

WELL ANSWERED

Mr Sifuna said it was disturbing that the three principals failed to attend the swearing in.

He noted that their concerns had now been well answered by Mr Mudavadi.

"For saying the truth, we forgive him (Mudavadi). As the secretary general of ODM, I say we no longer have a problem with him," says Mr Sifuna.

He went on: "Some of the advisors of the three leaders are to blame," and added: "Mudavadi is in Raila's heart. Kalonzo has already joined Raila and we are asking Mudavadi to come on board."

BING FOUGHT

Mr Malala said: "As youthful leaders, we were being fought because of our stand. We welcomed Kalonzo and now we are ready to receive Mudavadi."

Hamisi MP Charles Gimose, who attended the same forum, said he supports the three youthful leaders and urged them to fight on.

"The future of Western Kenya is in the youth. I tell the youth of western to continue with the current vigour in politics," said Mr Gimose.

The Ford Kenya law maker accused senior leaders from the region of failing to cultivate the politics of inclusivity and fighting the youths.