Raila Odinga, William Ruto battle for Western vote as polls near

ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto yesterday took their battle to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta to the vote-rich Western region.

In what appeared to be battle for the Mulembe Nation, the two front runners for presidency in the August 9 polls held political meetings 30 kilometres apart in a bid to convince the electorate from the Luhya community to support their bids.

Out of the Western region, Mr Odinga came out as the biggest winner yesterday as he received defectors from Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC including deputy party leader Ayub Savula, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya and several ward representatives, besides being endorsed by the elders.

Addressing the rally, Mr Odinga said he was delighted following the success of the Bukhungu II rally whose planning had received opposition from Mr Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.

Mr Odinga said: “The whole country was watching and waiting for this big day at Bukhungu. The Luhya community has spoken loud and clear. Those who opposed this meeting should read the signs of the times.”

While Mr Odinga took his Azimio la Umoja campaigns to Bukhungu in a rally organised by Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, the DP initially was in Sirisia in the neighbouring Bungoma County and finished off by joining Mr Malala for the finals of the Cleo Malala Super Cup Tournament held at Mumias Sports Complex.

Mr Mudavadi had been expected in Mumias but he did not turn up as he travelled to the Coast to welcome the New Year. But in his backyard, Dr Ruto declared that he was there with Mr Mudavadi’s blessings, as he responded to Mr Malala’s accusation that he had gate-crashed his event.

"I respect Mudavadi and every time I come to Western I always inform him of my coming. So Malala should stop complaining because his league is still low," he said.

The parallel events presented an opportunity for the two candidates to not only woo new partners but also receive defectors, underscoring the importance of the Luhya votes which are up for grabs.

While the two bigwigs stormed the headquarters of the Western region, two sons of Mulembe — Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula — both from the Okoa Kenya Alliance were missing.

The duo, who have been struggling to consolidate the Luhya vote, were no-show, allowing the DP and Mr Odinga to enter their political bedroom with ease.

In a move that appeared to pile pressure on Mr Mudavadi, the Luhya Elders’ Forum stripped him of the spokesman’s role and instead handed it to Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who has been challenging the ANC party leader for the Luhya chieftaincy.

The Luhya Elders’ Forum, which has representation among the 18 Luhya sub-tribes, also came up with five key resolutions they said will ensure the community forms part of the next government.

In the resolutions that were read by the forum’s secretary Peter Ludava, politicians opposed to the movement will be voted out at the polls.

“We resolve that the community shall only vote for candidates on other seats who are allied to Azimio la Umoja,” Mr Ludava said and noted that Mr Atwoli is their patron.

Mr Odinga said the Bukhungu II meeting had come days after he declared his presidential bid and explained to Kenyans his 10-point plan to turn around the economy and improve livelihoods if elected the fifth president.

“My focus will be on economic liberation of Kenyans so that the youth who are the majority can get jobs and improve their livelihoods,” said Mr Odinga.

He assured he will focus on revival of the financially-troubled Mumias Sugar Company and supported the recent move by the receiver manager, PVR Rao, to lease it to a Ugandan investor for 20 years.

The former Prime Minister castigated Mr Malala who had opposed the earlier decision to lease the miller to steel mogul Narendra Raval.

Mr Mudavadi suffered a further setback after his deputy party leader Savula and Mr Kaunya announced their defection from One Kenya Alliance (OKA) to Azimio la Umoja movement during the Bukhungu II declaration.

The high stakes meeting brought together more than 30 MPs, several senators and governors Oparanya, Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), James Ongwae (Kisii), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Sospeter Ojaamong’ (Busia).

Senior government officials who included Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, principal secretaries Simon Nabukwesi (Higher Education), Josephta Mukobe (Culture) and Deputy Head of Public Service Wanyama Musyambo attended.

Mr Savula and Mr Kaunya used the meeting to declare that they will campaign for Mr Odinga in the region, with the Teso North MP inviting the ODM leader to Busia to advance his campaigns.

“We have two political sides in Kenya. It is a two-horse race between Raila and Deputy President William Ruto. Because of the confusion in OKA, I have decided to abandon it and join Azimio la Umoja under Baba,” said Mr Savula.

The meeting saw several MCAs from ANC and Ford Kenya defect to ODM. Other leaders who joined the Azimio la Umoja bandwagon were Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Mr Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Dr Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Mr Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) and nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi.

The Bukhungu II declaration rally was convened by Mr Atwoli to chart a new political path for the Luhya community ahead of the August 9 General Election.

Mr Atwoli said he was excited that his meeting proceeded uninterrupted and achieved its goal to unite the region.

He said the entire region is in the Azimio la Umoja movement and that voters will elect Mr Odinga.

Thirty kilometres away, Dr Ruto arrived at the Mumias Sports Complex for the finals of Cleo Malala Super Cup some few minutes to 4pm.

The DP was accompanied by senators Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho), Irungu Kang'ata (Murang'a) and MPs Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Charles Gimose (Hamisi), Beatrice Adagala (Vihiga), John Waluke (Sirisia), Titus Khamala (Lurambi) and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili).

Others present were close allies of the DP from Western Kenya including former Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and UDA Vice Chairman Seth Panyako.

Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula, who had indicated that they would attend the football tournament, were however conspicuously missing.

At the event, Dr Ruto used the opportunity to woo Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula to join him in forming a coalition ahead of the next elections.

Dr Ruto invited Mr Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to accept his invite so that they could join forces with him to win the presidential contest.

The DP claimed the Luhya community has been supporting Mr Odinga since 2007 yet there is nothing to reciprocate for their loyalty to him.

He asked Mr Mudavadi and Mr Wetang’ula to make a final decision on the type of friends to have moving into the General Election.

"The most important thing is that we need to work together so that we can win the coming election. I will personally look for Mudavadi and Wetang’ula so that we can make a final decision," said the DP.

The DP donated Sh1.5 million to support the Cleo Malala Super Cup and promised to allocate Sh100 billion towards agribusiness, manufacturing and value addition to empower the youth should he win the presidency.

He took a swipe at Mr Atwoli, accusing him of undermining voters in Western after he (Atwoli) announced that he will lead the region in identifying leaders to vote for in all the elective seats apart from the presidency.

Reporting by Shaban Makokha, Benson Amadala and Derick Luvega