Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi addressing Bungoma residents at the Masinde Muliro (Kanduyi) Stadium in Bungoma County during Madaraka Day celebrations where he said he would engage Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa in talks over their presidential ambitions. [PHOTO|Protus Simiyu|West Fm]

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has said he will seek audience with Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa to seek ways of working together in a bid to seek for a possible way to clinch the presidency in the coming polls.

Mr. Mudavadi, who spoke at the Masinde Muliro (Kanduyi) stadium in Bungoma County, said the two of them have their eyes set n the same price – the presidency – thus needed to work together however long it might take.

“I am going to engage Hon. Eugene Wamalwa for however long it takes for us to work together as a team,” Mudavadi said.

Mr. Eugene Wamalwa is seeking the presidency on a New Ford Kenya ticket.

He also acknowledged that Bungoma vote was critical for his quest for the presidency insisting without it, the hunt would be futile.

“Bungoma is the most critical region for our quest to State House. Without Bungoma, we won’t make it,” said Mudavadi.

In his address as well, Mudavadi said he was optimistic he would win in the first round insisting his party was not headed at a second round.

“As UDF we are not going for a run off. We are going to win the first round. We want to win in the first round,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi confers with former Kimilili MP Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi (R) at the Masinde Muliro (Kanduyi) Stadium in Bungoma County. On Mudavadi's right is the Bungoma County Council chairman Mr. Meshack Wekesa [PHOTO|Protus Simiyu |West Fm]

Former trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi, as he invited Mudavadi, said that it was time to prove wrong all prophets of doom that the Luhya nation cannot lead this country.

“The Luhya nation has been ridiculed as a people who cannot work together but as mere watchmen. Lets prove them wrong,” he said.

Dr. Kituyi, who was once in the New Ford Kenya caravan agitating for a Eugene Wamalwa presidency implored upon the Justice Minister to relinquish his presidential ambition and support the DPM instead saying between the two, Mudavadi was the best.

He also said there was need for change in leadership explaining there should be a shift in political leadership since independence.

He said the Mau Mau generation of leaders should create space for youthful leaders who are now ready to take up leadership of the nation.

“Leadership in generations needs to change. The Mau mau generation has its time up,” he said.

Mudavadi had kept the residents waiting for hours as he had promised celebrate with them the 49th Madaraka Day despite being at the Nyayo National stadium where he invited President Mwai Kibaki to address Kenyans. (Read: Kibaki assures Kenyans of peaceful elections as he leads the country in celebrating the 49th Madaraka Day

However, there were ugly scenes at the entrance to the Stadium after youth carrying placards in support of Prime Minister Raila Odinga tried to block him from entering the stadium.

Swift action by the security personnel deployed at the venue cleared his way and restored order.

Mudavadi was making his first visit to the populous Bungoma County after he dumped ODM for UDFP as his vehicle to State House.

Mr. Mudavadi also used the chance to implore on the residents to attend his first major political rally in Western Kenya – his home turf – to be held at the historic Muliro gardens in Kakamega town, Kakamega County tomorrow.