Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi is one man who is facing extreme pressure from the Mulembe nation to clinch a position for the community in the next elections.
Now Mudavadi has become the next target for Tanga Tanga nearly a month after poaching his deputy party leader former minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa.
Leaders allied to the DP are now urging Musalia Mudavadi to drop any presidential ambitions he has, calling him a joker and instead focus on being William Ruto’s running mate in 2022.
The leaders have mocked Mudavadi’s presidential ambitions as those of a joker with inconsequential impacts on Kenya’s political scene. Urging him to form political coalitions with serious political candidates, or else he will face same humiliation he undergone in 2013 when he attempted to run for presidency.
The leaders who were speaking in Matungu constituency included former Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale, Mumias East Member of Parliament Benjamin Washiali, Nelson Koech (Belgut) Justus Murunga (Matungu). They mocked the recent trip Mudavadi made to Central Kenya, a visit they said was of zero impact because the ANC leader met politicians with no following in the region.
Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale recognized Mudavadi’s stature in Luhya politics saying the ANC leader has a potential to rally the region behind a single candidate only if he made wise political moves and had the right connection with influential leaders, both within the region and outside.
Musalia Mudavadi last week warned the Luhya community to be weary of people who are enticing their community with cheap Political acquisition.He urged them to stand firm and stop selling their loyalties cheaply.
Political analyst Herman Manyora had recently hinted that Ruto might be forced drop his presidential ambition in favour of another candidate preferably Mudavadi.
He noted that in the instance that Ruto becomes overwhelmed by the pressure from the rival team, which he said might include Uhuru and opposition leader Raila Odinga, he might have to give up his bid.
Musalia Mudavadi is yet to declare his interest in running for the top seat in 2022.However, it is highly likely he will be on the ballot or be part of a wider coalition with other like minded leaders to support a single candidate for presidency.
DP Ruto has been working round the clock to have Western Kenya vote in his grip, something that has proven futile and attracted criticisms from a number of leaders in the region, including Musalia Mudavadi himself.