Working together between Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi come 2022 has been put in jeopardy after their allies traded barbs over the weekend on who between the leaders stand a better chance at the presidency.
Ruto’s brigade asked ANC Boss, Musalia Mudavadi to “swallow his pride” and support the Deputy President for the top seat or he would go back to the opposition once again to the opposition for another five years after 2022 elections.
“Musalia doesn’t have the energy and the network that the DP seems to enjoy. You can’t compare Ruto’s political muscle with Musalia,” Kimilili MP Didmas Barasa told the Star.
Hon Didmas added that Musalia has no option other than backing Ruto.
The exchange after Musalia gave a strong word rebounding any political deal with Ruto.
“At no time has the Party Leader and ANC officially announced any political working relationship with Deputy President William Ruto…The ANC Party Leader has been categorical that he will only welcome an alliance, including with Ruto, in which he is supported as its candidate,” Musalia’s spokesman Kibisu Kabatesi said.
Mr. Kabatesi noted that his boss has maintained that ANC will play what he termed as the role of a “loyal opposition” whereby the party will support and criticize the government where and when necessary.
“The Party Leader has often emphasized the personal relationship he has with the President as the basis of his (Mudavadi’s) support for his (President’s) government. That position has never changed and he is not about to severe that direct link for third party intercession,” he stated.
Kabatesi’s statement is viewed as part of the battle for Uhuru’s attention ahead of the 2022 elections, with top politicians scrambling for a piece of the populous Mount Kenya votes.
Some of those leaders seeking the president’s attention include ODM Leader Raila Odinga, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, and Kanu’s Gideon Moi.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said Musalia’s path to the top seat would clear if supports Ruto but laughed off spirited calls for Ruto to instead back Musalia Mudavadi.
According to Washiali, Ruto’s huge following across the nation is buttressed by his role as the Deputy President, giving him a head start.
“It is the wish of all of us to become president but you can’t jump from the bush and become president overnight,” he said,
The MP added that Musalia’s place as an opposition leader doesn’t offer him any competitive advantage.
“Ruto is becoming a principal player because he made a president. For now, Musalia is coming from supporting Tinga who failed in 2017. Which platform is he using?
“If Musalia joined Ruto that[presidency] would be a done deal…If Ruto becomes President, then Musalia would become his automatic heir,” he added.
According to Washiali, Mudavadi is still “young” and can easily succeed Ruto. A claim which sounds ironic since Musalia is five years older than DP Ruto who is 53.
But ANC leader Ayub Savula hut back terming Washiali’s politics as “nonsense”.
“We don’t want any political deal with Ruto. We want to do everything necessary to lockout Ruto out of Western Kenya,” said Savula.
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Savula said they are planning to clock Western for Musalia is an effort to enhance his chances of seeking alliances with other leaders nationwide.
“That is nonsense. In Western Kenya, we are focused on Musalia. We will not allow anyone to joke with Musalia,” he said.
“This is our time and we are working closely with President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he added.
