Mudavadi set to embark on national tours
Dennis Lumiti
Amani National Congress (ANC) Party Leader Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi told members of his Luhya community to let him campaign in other parts of the country in his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta next year.
Mudavadi also asked residents of the po[i;pis Western region to register as voters in large numbers and cast their ballots as a bloc so as to produce the next occupant of State House. He said the community had the numbers but failed in politics due to “petty divisions.”
“I am pleading with you to let me campaign in the Rift Valley, Mount Kenya, North Eastern, Nyanza, Coast Nairobi and all other corners of the country so as to ensure I have enough numbers that will enable me succeed my brother Uhuru,” said Mudavadi.
“Meanwhile, you should concentrate on unity of purpose, register as voters in high numbers and be set to vote as a bloc so that our friends can respect and support us.”
Mudavadi made the remarks on the day he announced that he would from this week intensify his “meet the people tours” in various parts of the Country with Central Kenya, Coast, Kisii and Upper Eastern being the first regions he intends to tour as he strives to give his 2022 Presidential Journey a national face.
Discrediting bid
Speaking in Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County on Saturday during the burial of a retired Chief, Justus Makupa, said there was massive goodwill across the country for him to be Kenya’s fifth President.
He scoffed at claims that he was sitting pretty waiting for endorsement from President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he is his own man.
He said he was a long time friend of the President but was no relying on his endorsement.
“President Uhuru is my close friend and brother but I am not pinning my presidential ambitions on him. He can support me just like any other Kenyan,” said Mudavadi.
He said it will be folly for him to concentrate on his community yet he expects votes from across the country.
“Let us get identity cards, register as voters and cast our ballots as a bloc come the second Tuesday of August 2022,” he said.
Mudavadi said those discrediting his presidential bid were not aware of the steel he is made of.
He peoople of Western Kenya and other Kenyans to reject the culture of handouts and insults saying it made them elect the wrong people to public positions.
Galvanise votes
“Be careful while at the ballot because leadership is not about dishing out handouts, trading insults and dancing on the podium,” he said. He said his political detractors should accept that “it was time for transition from Uhuru to Mudavadi”.
“Those people who are saying I am just sitting there waiting to be given are living in their own world and will he shocked,” he said.
Mudavadi made extensive campaigns in Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia counties ahead of similar tours in other parts of the country as from this week.
He was accompanied by MPs Ayub Savula (Lugari), Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Ernest Kagesi (Vihiga), Sakwa Bunyasi (Nambale), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga Woman Rep) and ANC chairman Kelvin Lunani.
Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli threw his weight behind Mudavadi and urged Luhyas to let him galvanise for votes in other parts of the country.
