ANC remains buoyant in the face of haemorrhage

Amani National Congress (ANC) has downplayed the decision by Lugari MP Ayub Savula and his Teso North counterpart Oku Kaunya to abandon the party during the Azimio la Umoja rally at Bukhungu Stadium on Friday.

The party’s Kakamega County Secretary Prof Amukowa Anangwe described the defection of the MPs and several Kakamega County Assembly members as inconsequential.

“After consultations, we have decided that their exit is not a big deal to the party and that all we can do is wish them well,” said Prof Anangwe, the chief campaigner of Mr Musalia Mudavadi, the ANC presidential candidate.

The former Butere MP accused Mr Francis Atwoli, the secretary general of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu), and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya of being behind schemes to undermine Mr Mudavadi politically.

He said the endorsement of ODM leader Raila Odinga as the preferred presidential candidate for the western region at the Bukhungu amounted to an insult to the ‘Mulembe nation’.

Democratic rights

“We were appalled by the resolutions of the elders that seek to usurp the democratic rights of the people of the western region to freely support and back a presidential candidate of their choice. We, therefore, consider those resolutions as null and void,” said Prof Anangwe in Kakamaga.

The decision by key allies of ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi to share a platform with Deputy President William Ruto at a football match organised by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has triggered speculation about behind-the-scenes talks that could be taking place between the two camps.

While at the Mumias Sports Complex, Dr Ruto said he had decided to attend the function after consultations with Mr Mudavadi.

Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala and ANC chairman Kevin Lunani attended the finals of the Cleo Malala Super Cup tournament.

Join Mr Ruto

Dr Ruto asked Mr Mudavadi to join his camp, while Sirisia MP John Walukhe told the former vice president to stop dragging his feet and join Mr Ruto if he expects to survive politically.

“If you want to be safe, please, join the ‘hustler’s’ camp. Raila Odinga has snatched your gun and now you are without a weapon to fight for the presidency. The only option left for you is to join the deputy president to salvage your career,” said Mr Walukhe.

But Ms Adagala said Mr Mudavadi would stay in the race and fight to the end, a view shared by Prof Anangwe, who said the ANC boss was engaging with other key stakeholders to seek their support to bolster his bid.

“We can assure you ANC has the capacity and resources to sustain a presidential campaign to the end. Our party leader is busy reaching out to other like-minded leaders to persuade them to back him,” said Mr Anangwe.

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