Allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga and those of ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi have been divided ahead of President Uhuru’s Western Kenya tour.
While Musalia Mudavadi supporters are pushing for ANC leader to accompany the Head of State, Raila Odinga allies on the other side are insisting that their party leader must accompany the president to revive his political fortunes in the divided Mulembe nation.
Both Musalia Mudavadi and Raila Odinga have shown interest in succeeding retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta and none of them is ready to shelve his presidential ambitions for the other.
Lugari MP Ayub Savula, a close ally of Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday, July 25, threatened to convince western politicians not to be part of Uhuru’s visit if the former vice president would not accompany the president.
“They are trying to sideline Musalia (Mudavadi) to deny him support in his home turf. We will not accept that,” he said.
Former Cabinet Minister Amkoa Anangwe echoed Savula’s sentiments saying that Uhuru should be welcomed and accompanied by Musalia Mudavadi the same way Raila does whenever Uhuru visits the Nyanza region.
But ODM deputy party leader and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya told off Savula saying President Uhuru’s visit was strictly about development, not politics.
“We have no intentions of campaigning for or sidelining anyone. I will hold a meeting with all leaders before the tour so that we can have a common stand,” he said.
Oparanya who said he will shelf his presidential ambitions in the event Raila Odinga will give a fifth stab at the Presidency further said he was not aware that his party leader will be accompanying the President.
During President Uhuru’s Western Kenya tour, the Head of State is expected to inspect and launch various projects in the counties of Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Bungoma including the construction of KSh 100 million Gold Refinery plant at Iguhu, Ikolomani Constituency in Kakamega County.
Raila Odinga accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent visit to the Ukambani region, a move that raised sharp reactions, especially from Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
