RAILA AWACHE KUINGILIA BOMA YANGU, MUSALIA MUDAVADI CRIES

Amani National Congress (ANC) led by Musalia Mudavadi has issued a statement going after Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga following his endorsement on Friday, December 31.

Raila was endorsed in a much-touted meeting meant to unite the Luhya nation as the region preferred candidates. The event was hosted by COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli.

Raila after receiving the endorsement, promised to spearhead an economic revolution that will guarantee youth jobs wooing the crowd that had thronged the Bukhungu Stadium.

COTU boss Francis Atwoli, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu.
COTU boss Francis Atwoli, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu.CITIZEN DIGITAL
However, Mudavadi’s ANC party has come out to rubbish all the endorsement and proclamations made during the event. In a statement read by former Butere MP Dr. Amukowa Anangwe, the Musalia-led party denounced the endorsement made by Atwoli and the Luhya Community Elders.

In a bare knuckle attack, the party argued that the elders were hoodwinked by Atwoli to make pronouncements that do not reflect the true stand of the region ahead of the August 2022 Presidential election.

“As a party, we were appalled by the resolutions purportedly made by the Luhya Council of Elders under the patronage of Francis Atwoli. The said resolutions are null and void in so as they seek to usurp the legitimate and democratic right of electorates to freely choose whoever they prefer for various seats in 2022,” Anangwe read part of the statement.

The party described the resolutions as an attempt to impose the ODM leader on the people of the western region.

” It is an attempt to impose Raila as the region’s preferred Presidential candidate, a resolution that is not only wishful thinking, undemocratic but also outrageous,” ANC stated.

During the Azimio la Umoja event, Musalia was dethroned as the Luhya spokesperson, a position he has held since 2016 when he was coronated by the Luhya Council of Elders. The mantle was handed over to Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

Reacting to Musalia’s removal, ANC sent a warning to Atwoli for disrespecting their Presidential hopeful. Instead, they asked both Oparanya and Atwoli to drop their cowardice traits and take a stab at the presidency instead of idolising the former Prime Minister.

” The Council should be dismissed immediately. The ANC advises Atwoli and Oparanya to demonstrate individual courage and political prowess by competing for ODM presidential ticket.”

“We urge Atwoli and Oparanya to desist from undermining Musalia Mudavadi in his political backyard with the aim of impressing their political masters.”,

In the running up to the event, Senator Cleophas Malala had warned the conveners to keep off Bukhungu stadium. However, Malala was later summoned and pledged peace, with the meeting proceeding with police on high alert.

Musalia suffered a major blow as some of his most trusted lieutenants announced their support for Raila’s presidency. Leading the team were Lugari MP Ayub Savula and Godfrey Osotsi among others.

Musalia skipped the meeting with reports indicating that he was at the Coast while his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula was in Kitale meeting with aspirants eyeing various seats on his party’s ticket.

By kenyans.co.ke