ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has found himself at crossroads after his close allies in Kakamega County declared interest in the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Election.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, and former Co-operative Minister Amkoa Anangwe all ardent supporters of Mudavadi have shown interest to succeed governor Wycliffe Oparanya whose constitution term limit comes to an end in August 2022.
Initially, the Mudavadi’s party, Amani National Congress (ANC) had viewed deputy party leader Ayub Savula as the automatic flag-bearer but the entrance of Cleophas Malala and Amkoa has sent Mudavadi back to the drawing board.
Although governor Oparanya is drumming up support for his deputy Philip Kutima to succeed him, it is not clear whether he will run for the ODM or ANC ticket as none of the aspirants has declared their interest to vie for the seat on an ODM ticket.
However, credible sources claim Kutima is under pressure to join Mudavadi’s camp ahead of the polls as the party hopes to welcome more leaders to cement its popularity not only in Western region but across the country.
Kutima hails from Malava constituency which has the highest number of voters and where Mudavadi commands a huge following hence increasing statkes for Kutima should he shift his allegiance from ODM to ANC.
Anangwe has been teaching Political Science at Dodoma University in Tanzania but he is back seeking to take over the mantle of the leadership from governor Oparanya.
Lugari MP Ayub Savula is on the other hand is the deputy party leader, hence Mudavadi is confined not to go against him as he is the integral party member.
Kakamega Senator Clephas Malala has on the other side been an ANC sympathizer who was even kicked out from Senate plum job but has since remained loyal to Mudavadi.
Mudavadi will need to make higher-level decisions to ensure he does not lose even one of these leaders who have been the strong pillars of the party.
However, Mudavadi’s problems seem to be far from end even if he makes a decision that will satisfy all the three supporters who are eying for the Kakamega governor seat.
Already, three sitting Members of Parliament including Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Benard Shinali (Ikolomani) and Malulu Injendi (Malava) have shifted their allegiance from Tanga Tanga to Mudavadi’s camp.
For instance, Shinyalu constituency, more than 10 parliamentary aspirants are eying the seat on an ANC party ticket with a majority of the aspirants being close allies of Mudavadi who has shown interest to succeed retiring president Uhuru Kenyatta.
In Lurambi however, the battle for Mudavadi’s ANC ticket is between the current MP Titus Khamala , businessman Fred Ikana and Starnley Khainga.
Khainga is a close associate of Musalia Mudavadi whereas Fred Ikana is a business partner with ANC boss while Titus Khamala was elected on an ANC ticket.
