Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga send shock waves through the political fraternity when he announced yesterday that he will not be taking part in local politics ahead of the 2022 general elections.
For some people, Raila’s exit had paved way for Deputy President William Ruto to rise to State House. But it seems that’s not the case.
It has now emerged that ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi is strongly in the race and has been doing some underground work ahead of what is panning out to be a two-horse race.
In fact Mudavadi is planning a visit to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Central Kenya backyard as he plots his 2022 presidential bid.
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,” Mudavadi told a local newspaper. 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.
In the last two elections, the region voted as bloc for Uhuru, but with the head of state retiring in four years, the fight for the region’s allegiance is intensifying.
There is even talk in Mudavadi’s camp that he may pick his running mate from Uhuru’s Mt Kenya bastion. The President shocked the region, and much of the nation, last week when he told local leaders that his pick for the presidency will shock some of them them.
There was once a pact that Deputy President William Ruto was the heir apparent and would be backed for the top job. Ruto has made numerous trips to Central where he has been giving generously at harambees for churches, schools and other worthy causes.
Mudavadi, nicknamed ‘MaDVD’, is building his reputation as a moderate leader, a steady pair of hands and the most credible opposition voice in the post-handshake era.
His former Nasa co-principals Raila Odinga of ODM and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper have decided to work with President Kenyatta, so the ANC leader is positioning himself as the the most trustworthy figure to succeed Uhuru. 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.
“We believe the people of Mt Kenya are looking for a credible person they can trust,” Mudavadi said in the Star interview.
Two months ago Mudavadi held a meeting in Nakuru, which was attended by former TNA grassroots officials from Central Kenya and parts of Rift Valley. They endorsed Mudavadi for 2022.
Since then he has met former Kiambu governor William Kabogo and former Nyeri senator Mutahi Kagwe, among others. Mudavadi is also planning to meet Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga, Kirinyaga’s Anne Waiguru, Muranga’s Mwangi wa Iria, Embu’s Nyagah Wambora and Meru’s Kiraitu Murungi in the coming weeks.