Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi was Saturday forced to address his supporters on a roadside in Mbale town, Vihiga County, after police sealed off Idavaga grounds where a youth rally was to take place.
Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala organised the rally at which a website for the Mulembe Youth Movement was to be launched but a contingent of police officers manned the venue and blocked him and his team from accessing it.
Idavaga grounds sits within Mbale town, the county’s headquarters, along Kisumu-Kakamega highway.
All service lanes were closed, with motorists and other road users urged to use the main highway only.
Police said Mr Malala did not obtain a permit for the meeting but he claimed security personnel are being used to scuttle his bid to unite the region’s youths.
The outspoken senator said his events have been disrupted due to his tough position on the counties’ revenue-sharing formula. The Senate passed the motion mid September, after a stalemate that threatened to cripple county operations. It is now before the National Assembly.
Mudavadi’s address
In his address to a crowd that gathered despite the heavy police presence, Mr Mudavadi asked his supporters to never let him walk alone as he seeks to vie for the presidency in the 2022 General Election.
While noting that his warning against the country’s excessive borrowing was not taken seriously, he said he will focus on economic revival and helping Kenyans out of huge debts and heavy taxation.
The Amani leader further said corruption is denting the economy so investigators should thoroughly look into cases.
While singling out the scandal at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), Mr Mudavadi said all loopholes must be sealed for justice to be served.
“The DPP has returned the file to the EACC because he wants proper evidence. Investigators should undertake sufficient investigations because we don’t want the case to be lost in court for lack of evidence,” said Mr Mudavadi.
Well aware of the blocked meeting in his backyard, Mr Mudavadi told the crowd that his brother – Mr Malala – had his blessings to hold the event to enhance youth empowerment.
“We will plan and come back to Mbale to talk to the youth,” said Mr Mudavadi.
Luhya unity
Speaking at the same roadside gathering, Mr Malala claimed police were being used to block his meeting yet it was aimed at empowering youths.
He said he was accompanied by officers who would have used the platform to educate the youth on how to apply for government loans and tenders.
“This is misuse of the police by people who don’t want the Luhya to unite. They are not happy with me for reuniting with Mudavadi and my stand against the revenue-sharing formula,” he said, adding the turn of events saddened him.
“The community has recognised leaders who should be respected,” he said.
Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi, Lugari’s Ayub Savula and Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala were among the leaders who attended the meeting.
Mudavadi’s party is trying to secure the Western region’s votes, something the Orange Democratic Movement, its arch-rival, is also set on doing.
Deputy President William Ruto of Jubilee Party, who also wants to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta come 2022, has also been building support in the region whose allies have hinted courting an alliance with the Western region ahead of the 2022 General Election.
“We want to lock Western region before officially releasing our party leader to move to other regions to solidify his support base. Our target is to reclaim all the constituencies in the region,” said Mr Savula.
The MP, who is ANC’s deputy party leader, told those eyeing the presidency to keep off Western region as “it is under lock and key” for Mr Mudavadi.
He said ANC has an elaborate campaign programme for the entire country.
Tough battle
The battle for the vote-rich region began in earnest in September.
Mr Odinga toured the region on September 5, when he announced that grassroots meetings will be held to strengthen the party and ensure Kakamega remains an ODM zone.
He met ODM delegates and MCAs from the county at Governor Wycliffe Oparanya’s home in Emabole village.
ANC received massive support in the region in the 2017 polls but Mr Odinga, who has been receiving support from the region in his past presidential bids, says he is focusing on ensuring the Luhya community votes for his party as a bloc.
Some reports say Dr Ruto has approached Mr Mudavadi with the intention of having him as his running mate but the ANC boss says he is going for the top seat.
“I supported retired presidents Mwai Kibaki and the late Daniel Moi. I have also supported Raila Odinga and President Kenyatta. I am done with supporting others. They should instead give back and back my bid,” Mr Mudavadi said at a past function.
He again supported Mr Kenyatta in 2013 and was Mr Odinga’s campaign manager in 2017.
“It is now their turn to look at how selflessly I have backed them and support me in 2022,” he said.
The Constitution blocks the DP from running as a Deputy President after serving two terms.
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