Will Mudavadi survive Raila,Ruto onslaught in his Western backyard?

Kakamega

By Collins Matubwi

Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has announced that he will cause an earthquake during the party’s National Delegates Conference on January 23.

Mudavadi’s sentiments comes against the backdrop of an onslaught staged by ODM chief Raila Odinga in his home turf of Western Kenya that threatens to end his political career.

Raila and Deputy President William Ruto have all raided Mudavadi’s backyard that has more than 2.5million votes going by the IEBC records.

Both Raila and Ruto have made inroads in the region and managed to convince his lieutenants to join their camps.

Political analysts believe Mudavadi is caught between a rock and a hard place going by the new political developments.

“Mudavadi has been caught in an awkward situation as a result of his failure to act fast and align with the changing political tide. Whatever he may declare during the NDC could make or destroy him politically,” says Emmanuela Mulaa.

Ms Mulaa, from the University of Nairobi, argues that recent defections in ANC could have weakened Mudavadi.

According to her, the ANC boss could have an uphill task convincing the co-principals at One Kenya Alliance (OKA) to support his presidential bid given the shifting ground.

So far, four ANC lawmakers have joined Azimio la Umoja bandwagon led by Raila.  They are Ayub Savula (Lugari), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Peter Nabulindo (Matungu) and Teso North MP Oku Kaunya.

The party has also lost several MCAs and some party officials to Azimio la Umoja.  Most of them have hinted at defending their seats on ODM ticket.

Peninah Mukabaneh, who was to be there ANC flagbearer for the Women Rep has also defected to UDA party with the entire ANC Women League from Lurambi Sub Branch.

Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi (ANC) disclosed that three more ANC lawmakers will ditch the party and join Raila’s camp before this coming weekend.

Mudavadi remains with MPs Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Tindi Mwale (Butere, John Bunyasi (Nambale), Ernest Kagesi (Vihiga), Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya) and senator George Khaniri (Vihiga) in his fold.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala appears to be warming up to DP Ruto, it is just a matter of when he will jump ship, he stole the show at Ruto’s Eldoret mega rally.

According to Mulaa, ANC risks being rendered a shell of its former should Mudavadi fail to read the signs on the wall and act accordingly.

Mr Aseka told his constituents that they should support Raila’s presidential bid because Mudavadi appears to have ‘lost political direction’.

“I want to make it clear that the person we should support in the August 9 election is Raila, he will serve only one term. We told Mudavadi to support Raila’s quest but he was reluctant yet even if he (Mudavadi) go all the way, he cannot win,” said Aseka.

Mr Nabulindo who was elected to parliament on ANC ticket barely 11 months ago through a by-election has dumped Mudavadi for Raila.

“I do not want to be in the opposition and at the backbench. The people of Matungu want me to be in the next government so that I can be able to bring development projects and resources to them. They have seen the light and told me to join Azimio la Umoja,” said Mr Nabulindo.

Savula is eyeing Kakamega governorship seat in ANC but insists that he will support Raila’s candidature.

Bishop Khamala, the Kakamega ANC Chiarman put on a brave face dismissing claims that Mudavadi has been finished politically as a result of the defections.

According to Khamala, one or two people defecting is not an indication ANC influence is the region is dead.

The lawmaker who spoke in Kakamega town yesterday asked ANC supporters to stay put and popularise Mudavadi’s presidential bid while ignoring the sideshows.

“Don’t worry that the MPs, aspirants and some party officials have defected and joined Raila, ANC has a strong membership and we shall soldier on,” said Khamala.

Khamala ANC defectors will pay the price as they risk being auctioned and shortchanged at the nominations.

“They ought to know that political wars are fought at the ballot and not through defections, those who defected are hypocrites, we should ignore them and focus ahead.”

Ends