Kenneth sets Mudavadi conditions

Presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth has demanded that United Democratic Forum (UDF) leader Musalia Mudavadi acknowledge his candidature before they can engage in alliance talks.

Mr Kenneth, however, said he was not involved in talks with the Sabatia MP at the moment.

Earlier attempts to form a coalition with Mr Mudavadi collapsed on December 4 after Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto convinced him to join their Jubilee alliance. (Read: Jubilee collapses over nomination row)

“The Eagle alliance comprising Raphael Tuju and myself has been talking to New Ford Kenya of Eugene Wamalwa. The three of us are presidential candidates and anyone planning to join us must understand he is coming to join serious and stable candidates who are already in the middle of their campaigns,” Mr Kenneth said.

He said talks between Mr Wamalwa and Mr Mudavadi must be based on the fact that “three very stable presidential aspirants already exist”.

Mr Kenneth dismissed statements attributed to Mr Wamalwa about a third force as having been made in a non-neutral territory to appease the target audience.

“You must understand that Mr Wamalwa made those statements in Maragoli. He had made us aware of his trip there,” he said.

The Gatanga MP insisted he had already moved on after initial attempts to form a coalition with Mr Mudavadi collapsed. (Read: UDF leader’s three tricky and painful options)

“On that day, we simply refused to show up at Freedom Corner after we realised that one of us was becoming dishonest,” Mr Kenneth said.

On Wednesday in Mbale-Vihiga County Mr Wamalwa appeared to be tilting towards Mr Mudavadi when he spoke of a plan to unite with the Deputy Prime Minister and field a single candidate from Western Province for the presidency.