Three Members of Parliament from Kakamega and Vihiga counties have challenged Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba to declare his political interest in the coming general election instead of attacking the presidential candidature of Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

Assistant Minister Manyala Keya (Lurambi), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga) and Justus Kizito (Shinyalu) said Namwamba was not Mudavadi's equal in politics adding the DPM was not seeking to be enthroned a Luhya chieftain.

The lawmakers were reacting to media reports attributed to Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba that Mudavadi's bid to unite Western province under his presidential bid will fail.

He accused Mudavadi of dividing the community in the 1997 general election after failing to support the late Michael Kijana Wamalwa who stood for presidency on a Ford-K ticket as well as supporting Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2002 polls against unity of the region.

However responding to the attack, the three Mps described Namwamba as loose cannon and declared, “Though one should have his community's support, it is not a must. We must look at Mudavadi's bid in a wider perspective not the Luhya community alone.”

They argued that creation of tribal enclaves was responsible for the post election chaos adding Mudavadi's UDF party was keen on uniting Kenyans and the country.

Keya said that those attacking Mudavadi's bid are only envious about his ability to sell his bid beyond the Luhya community and urged other presidential candidates to look beyond their tribes to unite the country.

“We are aware that not all presidential aspirants for the next general elections are acceptable to all communities in Kenya but Mudavadi is and that is why he is under attack by his opponents who fear losing the polls,” Keya said.

Yesterday, defended retired President Daniel Moi’s 24-year reign saying it was founded on the support outside his own community and galvanised upon his ability to address issues of the minority and marginalised groups.

Kizito said that those seeking elective positions should anchor their campaigns in issues and policies and not personality. “Personality politics have the potential to incite communities against each other,” he said.