I’m nobody’s project, says Amani National Congress leader Mudavadi
Dennis Lumiti
Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has rubbished claims that he is President Uhuru Kenyatta “project” in next year’s General Election.
The former Vice President in an interview with Citizen Radio said those advancing the “project” narrative were trying to link him to the failures of the Jubilee government where, they themselves are part or have joined.
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Mudavadi said save for national days when he attends on the invitation of the President, he has never taken part in any Jubilee government activities to warrant him to be termed a project of anyone.
“I am a man of myself, seeking the mandate of Kenyans to be their president.
We know those who have been part of the Jubilee government and even accompany the President in his tours to launch or inspect development projects,” he said in apparent reference to ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“How can you be a project of someone who you don’t associate or share the running of the government with?
Have you seen President Uhuru Kenyatta campaigning for me or insinuating that he wants me to succeed him?
We must respect each other and sell our manifestos to Kenyans and stop advancing propaganda,” said Mudavadi.
At the same time, Mudavadi took issue with Raila over the sharing of political party funds from the exchequer.
He accused Raila of being insincere in his claim that the parties under the National Super Alliance (Nasa) coalition are not eligible to get money allocated to ODM.
Mudavadi said in the Nasa coalition agreement, the principal parties had agreed on how they would share the finances, parliamentary positions and even how to get the alliance’s presidential candidate in the 2022 elections if the alliance would still be in place.
Sharing of finances
The agreement, according to Mudavadi, stipulates how the Nasa parties would share the allocation but to date, ODM party has refused to release any amount to the other three members of the coalition; Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya.
“The agreement is a legal document that we signed and deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties.
It has clauses on how the partner parties would share the allocation, not only finances but also parliamentary positions.
But we all know what has happened in Parliament where chairpersons of committees have been thrown out,” he told the nation.
In the agreement, Mudavadi maintained that there was consensus that ODM was not to field a presidential candidate in 2022 whether the coalition had won the presidency in 2017 or not.
“There is a lot of dishonesty in the alliance. A situation that cannot allow us to live up to the aspirations of the Nasa dream,” he added.
Asked whether he would heed calls from Raila to strengthen the alliance, Mudavadi said his main agenda at the moment is to strengthen ANC and forge partnerships with other parties as he readies himself for next year’s General Election.
“My party has given me the mandate to run for the presidency next year. My energy is focused on that and I will be in the ballot as a presidential candidate.
Others are welcome to join our party and together, we work on reviving the economy of our country,” he said.
Mudavadi is under pressure from his supporters to vie for the presidency even as possibilities of settling for a lesser position remain alive.
Mudavadi’s allies say they will not settle for anything less than the presidency of One Kenya Aliance or any other political formation that could emerge.
“Honourable Mudavadi has occupied virtually all the positions that accord him the experience, knowledge and skills to vie for the presidency,” said former Cabinet minister Amukowa Anangwe.
