When we think of veteran politicians in the country, the name Musalia Mudavadi must come in one’s mind. This is a man that has been in politics from way back.
Political pundits have however played down his chances of ever ascending to the Country’s top most seat. Musalia is compared to a cry baby who always want’s things handed to him on a silver platter.
For instance, He inherited a parliamentary seat from his father Moses Mudavadi, Moi handed him the vice presidency briefly in 2002 and he was handed the Deputy Prime Minister position in 2008.
According to political pundits, Musalia Mudavadi’s only chance of becoming the Country’s president was back in 2013 when Uhuru Kenyatta was apparently ready to step down for him. He was later shortchanged in the last minute and infact referred to as a “Devil”
Musalia has never gone for a position from scratch. He is not a known go-getter and at times judged to not even command the following of his own people, the Luhyia. It will be remembered that in 2013, Raila Odinga got more votes than Musalia Mudavadi in his home county of Vihiga.
He has been unable to Marshall the Luhyia community to unite and speak in one voice and probably vote as a bloc come 2022. The Luhyia community is basically divided in the middle with one side supporting Raila Odinga while the other led by the likes of Bonnie Khalwale and Sports CS Rashid Echesa are for a William Ruto Presidency.
Musalia has got intentions of going for the Presidency in 2022. Will he make it with a divided Luhyia nation?
He has apparently began strategizing for the 2022 race. He was in Central Kenya with claims rife that he want’s to pick a running mate from the region.
Known as cautious and mild-mannered, the former Vice President has quietly been meeting leaders from the populous region in hopes of convincing them to back him.
“Our eyes are on the prize and we believe we are on course to win the next election,” said Mudavadi.
Ethnic and regional affiliations have long been central to Kenya’s politics and the former Deputy Prime Minister is hoping to make inroads in the region with almost eight million voters.
It remains to be seen if Mudavadi will be able to convince the vote rich central province to support his bid. The region unanimously voted for Jubilee in 2013.
Mudavadi is understood to be planning an extensive tour of Mt Kenya from January next year when he will court leaders from all the counties.
Do you think Mudavadi can pull a surprise in 2022?