DPM Musalia Mudavadi addressing Western Kenya residents at the Masinde Muliro Gardens of Kakamega to mark his first ever political rally after ditching the ODM party. [Photo | John Kabaka|West Fm]

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has said that if elected President under the United Democratic Forum Party (UDFP), his government will not be inclined to pursuing politics of revenge on the former holders of the seat.

Speaking at Masinde Muliro Gardens in Kakamega County for the first time after ditching the Orange Democratic Movement – (ODM) for the UDFP, Mudavadi said he had the key to the presidency just as he had for the Vice President docket for Luhyas and that if elected.

He said despite being the VP for only two months, after his stint, there have been successive VPs from the Luhya community thus saying he wants to open the gates for the presidency to the region.

“Despite the fact that I was Vice President for only two years, I opened the doors for the Late Wamalwa Kijana and then Moody Awori. Isn’t that being with a blessed hand?” he posed.

Mudavadi further said if elected president, he will undertake to cut the cost of electricity, revive collapsed industries and create job opportunities besides offering free secondary education.

He added that his government will be one that unifies all Kenyans, one that does not instill fear but one that provides respect for leadership.

“We need leaders who are dedicated in serving Kenyans and safeguarding their interests and aspirations. UDF will not engage in insults or rhetoric or violence, it will keep in the lane of issue based politics,” said Mudavadi.

During the rally, his United Democratic Forum Party received a boost with various members of political parties ditching their parties to rally behind him in his new political vehicle.

Speaking during the function, Western leaders attacked the Prime Minister Raila Odinga telling him that he cannot be entrusted with leadership.

Ikolomani Mp Dr. Bonny Khalwale told off Raila in his bid for the presidency saying it is the time a donkey (Mudavadi) as he termed him recently, took the tools of power at State House.

He echoed Jeremiah Kioni’s sentiments that the PM should aspire to be spending more time in Kenya than on foreign trips with an appeal to the American President Barrack Obama to allocate more resources for the war against the outlawed group Al-Shabaab and relieve the burden off Kenya’s shoulders saying “It’s not Kenya’s war”.

Speaking earlier Kioni had asked Raila to stop his many foreign journeys and concentrate on working for Kenyans.

“And these leaders who every week is out of the country only to come back to attend to rallies on weekends should now stop that habit and concentrate on working for Kenyans. You saw he was not here during Madaraka Day because he was away,” he said.

Khalwale together with Housing Minister Soita Shitanda assured him of their support telling him not to worry on who will campaign for him in the Western region but to leave the task to them.

On his part, Justus Kizito said Raila was tribal and could not be trusted any more.

He also reiterated that that they have left ODM for good and do not need an olive hand from the PM.

He accused the PM of being an architect of nepotism and favoritism citing appointment of his brother Oburu Odinga into the cabinet saying.

“I want to tell you that Raila is very tribal. How do you deny that when he appoints his brother to the cabinet and leaves Kizito out yet I am here?” said Kizito.  

 At the same time, he said it was not the prerogative of Raila to choose the next president but the voters.

Also speaking at the rally, Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali disclosed that Mudavadi has not been and will never be a project of anyone.

He lauded Central Kenya bishops for voting for Eliud Wabukala as head of the Anglican Church and urged them to do the same with Mudavadi.

He further told off Raila from associating with the Wanga people. For the first time, he launched a scathing attack against him since leaving ODM. He said Mumias constituents are no longer in ODM but in UDF.

Washiali noted that Luhyas are comfortable with being called cooks and watchmen for they are ready to provide sufficient food for Kenyans and offer adequate security.

Manyala Keya the Lurambi Mp who addressed Mudavadi as “President” denied he (Mudavadi) is being somebody’s project in the race for presidency but a project for Kenyans saying, “It is time for a Luhya president. Time for a Luo President is over,” he said.

He also rubbished claims that Mudavdi was ‘bought’ to decamp from ODM.

Keya’s sentiments were similar to that of Dr. Bonny Khalwale who said the political contest between Raila and Mudavadi was not a battle between the Luo and the Luhya communities but it was time Raila to support Mudavadi.

“You know very well that this is not war between the communities, it is a battle between a young man and an old man and as you know the old cannot win,” he said adding “the winner of the contest will have to lead the nation and that is Mudavadi.”

Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Jamleck Kamau, and Local Government Assistant minister Lewis Nguyai both of The National Alliance (TNA) and Fred Kapondi (URP) who attended the rally, said for Mudavadi to win, the Western region should unite and vote to the last man.

Fred Kapondi the Mt. Elgon Mp at the rally, offered William Ruto’s apologies saying he was speaking on behalf of the Kalenjin Community which had support for Mudavadi’s candidature saying the region had better not lose these opportunity.

“If the region loses this round, it should forget the bid,” he said.

He also said the united Republic Party (URP) met recently with UDFP to formulate ways of working together.

This was similar to what Lewis Nguyai and Jamleck Kamau who said they had represented DPM Uhuru Kenyatta with Nguyai saying, Western, Rift Valley and Central Provinces should work together. The same leaders reiterated calls for Raila retiring with the Kibaki.

Legendary politician Mark Too said Rift Valley supports Mudavadi saying even President Mwai Kibaki has faith in him citing it was evident during the Madaraka Day celebration where he had to invite the President.

Too said Prime Minister Raila Odinga lost his quest for presidency when he accepted to enter into coalition with Kibaki.

Khalid Njiraini decamped from ODM and resigned as the Vihiga ODM chairman while attacking Jakoyo Midiwo for being the stumbling block. Similarly, the ODM Secretary General Prof. Anyang Nyongo and the Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang were attacked for denying democracy within ODM.

Similarly, the Kisii ODM representative decamped saying UDFP was the party to watch, the Nandi County ODM chairman also announced his move to UDFP.

On the other hand, the Central Province delegation led by Lewis Nguyai urged Mudavadi to give them direction with one of the Kikuyu elders led by one Mr. Njeru compelling him to send delegations to Central within a week to offer direction.

Officials of the UDFP party  and leaders from the Western region led by Soita Shitanda also urged the residents to support Mudavadi by registering as voters to be able to marshal their support for him.

Musalia Mudavadi was accompanied by Abdikadir Mohammed, the New Ford Kenya chairman who is also the Malava Mp Soita Shitanda, Dr. Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani), Justus Kizito Mugali (Shinyalu), Fred Kapondi (Mt. Elgon), Ben Washiali (Mumias) Former Kimilili mp Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi among other leaders.