Malalah, Savula lock horns in ANC wars
Dennis Lumiti
A row has erupted in the Amani National Congress (ANC) party pitting Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malalah and Lugari MP Ayub Savula.
The duo is engaged in a fierce battle for control of the party and endorsement of Musalia Mudavadi; who is the party leader.
They have put up two parallel camps comprising sitting MPs, Ward Reps and aspirants for various seats.
Both are eyeing the Kakamega gubernatorial race on the ANC ticket in next year’s elections.
Savula refers to himself as the deputy party leader while Malalah appears to have assumed the role of secretary-general following the resignation of Barrack Muluka.
Their critics now claim they have been hired by outsiders to destroy ANC and frustrate Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions.
They are accusing each other of being moles of Deputy President William Ruto.
On the other hand, Mudavadi has remained mum even as a number of aspirants who had declared their interests in various political seats continue to decamp to rival outfits, mainly ODM and UDA.
Some are considering going independent but still campaign for Mudavadi presidential bid.
Those in Savula’s camp claim that the senator’s father-David Malalah, was coercing his son to vie for the governorship against advice by the ANC top leadership that he defends his current seat.
But senior Malalah dismissed the claims yesterday saying he was not a political advisor to his son.
Savula downplayed the row and said the party would solve any issues through its internal mechanisms.
“A lot will be happening between now and next year. What is being witnessed in ANC are simply sibling rivalries which are normal,” he said.
“But we shall stick together with our common ultimate goal being the presidency,” he added
Savula dismissed claims that he was also Ruto’s snitch in the party.
