[UAH] WBK what is going on? Standard Digital News - Kenya : Confusion in Western Kenya as kingpins go mute
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2:18 PM |
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By Francis Ontomwa
BUNGOMA, KENYA: Western Kenya's political future is dimming following the silence of its perceived king, former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi.
The uncertainty has been exacerbated by the intermittent appearance in public of former Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, whom the community had banked on for guidance.
Such developments could see Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula automatically filling the void the region hungrily yearns for.
But it may not be as smooth as it sounds as there are speculations that former Lugari legislator Cyrus Jirongo, a beneficiary of the Mudavadi-Wamalwa troubles, could also bankroll a new political vehicle.
Mudavadi and Wamalwa were politically orphaned during the March 4 elections. The Jubilee Government later dumped them during the recent Cabinet appointments.
Their silence has since left some of their supporters worried about their political future.
"Mudavadi has not bothered to meet elected leaders and poll losers," says a former parliamentary aspirant who sought anonymity.
"This is sending a wrong signal to the community. As a United Democratic Forum (UDF) party leader, he should have the welfare of his foot soldiers at heart."
The politician pointed out to the public spats between the region's leaders as enough proof of a house on fire.
Recently, former Shinyalu legislator Justus Kizito told off Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale over verbal attacks he has allegedly been launching on Mudavadi.
"Khalwale must learn to respect senior politicians in Western. In particular, he must respect Mudavadi. He may not have won the elections but he remains our senior," said Kizito.
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000086010&story_title=confusion-in-western-as-kingpins-go-mute
But the former Deputy Prime Minister says he is not taking a political backseat. He claims that he is keen on strengthening his party.
In a recent interview, he denied any interest in a Cabinet job, alleging that such a move would knock him out of contention in the next General Election.
No regrets
"A Cabinet slot would have come with conditions to keep off politics," he said. "This would not have gone down well with me. My focus is to revamp my party."
The former presidential candidate also has a more favourable view of his performance in the race to State House, despite not getting just 483,981 votes—less than four per cent of all valid votes.
"It was my first attempt. I came out strongly. This sets the ball rolling for me. I now know where my support is and I can plan better," said Mudavadi.
Mudavadi's alleged hands-off approach to issues affecting his party has further come to haunt him with a clique of insiders who lost in the last elections having already ditched his outfit.
On the other hand, Wamalwa seems to have been thrown off balance after failing to secure a Cabinet slot. Sources tell of a man still reeling from the setback.
During the burial of a brother in Saboti recently, Wamalwa said he had no regrets about his political choices.
"Choosing to support my brother Mudavadi was a conscious decision," he said. "We will continue working together as we start the journey earlier this time round to enable us reach the destination."
Malaba-based political analyst Okoit Lok Etyang sees it differently.
"Wamalwa's political future hangs on a thread. He was keen to get a Cabinet seat but things did not materialise. He seems to have been knocked off balance and this may take long for him to recover."
His recovery may, however, be delayed further by the apparent rise of Mr Wetangula, who is seen in some quarters as the most influential Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leader in Parliament. This gives him an advantage over Wamalwa in the Western supremacy battle.
Observers say the direction the two take will either make or break their political careers. Edward Kisiang'ani says it is too early to make any conclusions about their future. Instead, he says the two should be drawing lessons from their experiences in the run-up to the last election.
"It is premature to make any prophesy now. The terrain in the just ended campaigns was hilly for the two. What is important will be how they pick up the pieces," said Prof Kisiang'ani. Prof Kisiang'ani told The Standard On Saturday he believes the two can still turn their five years outside the fray to their advantage.
This will require an astute reading of opposition politics in the region and across the nation
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000086010&story_title=confusion-in-western-kenya-as-kingpins-go-mute&pageNo=3
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