Mudavadi still in the presidential race, says Amani

• Jan 25, 2022

By Justus Karanja

Two days after Deputy President William Ruto announced joint campaigns with Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi starting with Wednesday’s rally in Nakuru, there was confusion after ANC announced their leader will go all the way to the ballot in the August 9th presidential poll as its flag bearer.

 The party made the announcement after a Parliamentary Group meeting on Tuesday.

They insisted the presence of Ruto at the National Delegates Conference (NDC) in Bomas should not be interpreted to mean Mudavadi has shelved his ambitions for the top seat.

The party MPs led by Emuhaya’s Omboko Milemba said they have resolved Mudavadi seeks the presidency.

“At the National Delegates meeting last weekend, our party leader was given the mandate to look for friends to partner with in his journey to State House. Let it be known that as a party, we have agreed that Mudavadi is going for nothing less than the presidency,” Milemba said.

The MP added that the party is open to making more friends who will support the Mudavadi presidency journey.

On Sunday, Ruto said his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Mudavadi’s ANC would team up in the August elections.

This was followed by his announcement of Tuesday that he would make public the political deal with ANC leader and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetang'ula.

On Monday, 30 Western Kenya MPs from the Orange Democratic Movement, Jubilee and the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya (DAP-K) told off Mudavadi for uniting with Ruto.

According to Capital News, the MPs spoke hours after Ruto announced a pact with Mudavadi.

Also to denounce Mudavadi was One Kenya Alliance comprising Wiper leader Kalonzo Musoka and Kanu’s GideonMoi.

In a statement, OKA's spokesperson Frederick Okango stated they cannot be friends with Ruto and it was time to move to 'higher grounds'.

"Unfortunately we have to part ways since some of his friends are not our friends and we are unsafe with them. It is time to move forward , it is time to end the nasty political games," said Okango who is also the KANU Secretary General.

He wished Mudavadi all his best in his presidential ambition.

Present at the Amani MPs meeting were Mudavadi, his deputy Abdi Yare, MPs Alfred Agoi, Kassim Tandaza, Omboko Milemba, Beatrice Adagala, Sakwa Bunyasi, Petronila Were, Malulu Injendi and Ernest Kagesi.