ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi has termed President Uhuru’s support for Raila Odinga as a gamble; that may either build or break him.
In an interview with the Star, Musalia Mudavadi said President Uhuru’s support for Raila Odinga may be counterproductive for the ODM leader.
“The President has a lot of influence, both visible and invisible. It does not necessarily mean that his word will be taken. But he has the influence… in many different ways so you cannot underrate a sitting President,” Mudavadi said.
The ANC party leader gave an example of an instance whereby the endorsement of a sitting president turned out to be doom for a presidential candidate.
“We have a history where open support from a sitting President can also be counterproductive. We saw in 2002 when President Moi came out strongly in support of Uhuru and that did not translate into votes,” he said.
Mudavadi argued that being branded a state project could have a strong negative impact on a candidate.
However, Mudavadi dismissed reports that Raila Odinga is President Uhuru Kenyatta’s preferred successor.
“You could be branded a state project and that can have consequences. I am not aware the President has endorsed Raila but next time I talk to him (Uhuru) I will ask him that question,” he said.
While maintaining his earlier position that he will not back out of the presidential race, Musalia Mudavadi insisted that the One Kenya Alliance is still strong.
He revealed that they are in talks to bring other political muscles on board, including Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua.
“We also met a team led by Martha Karua and had a conversation about the way forward. She said she will consult her team to see if she would partner with OKA,” he said.
The coalition is seeking Karua, who has been seen as the most preferred deputy presidential candidate in the Mt Kenya region.
