Musalia Mudavadi
After a series of missteps for a
firm foothold in politics, former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia
Mudavadi is gradually shedding the image of a gentleman of politics and
increasingly becoming more combative and assertive.
The transition comes as a major surprise to friend and foe. The latest in this transformation curve is this week’s statement in which Mudavadi took a swipe at President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, whom he cast as tricksters out to return the country to one-party rule. He was angry that Jubilee leaders are arm-twisting the coalition’s affiliates to dissolve into the Jubilee Party. Prior to that, the former vice president and Sabatia MP had declined an invitation to team up with Uhuru and Ruto, describing them as ‘conmen’ incapable of delivering on their promises to the electorate.
Main story: I won’t work with Uhuru - Mudavadi
In 2002, he also rejected nomination by Kanu when he was voted out of Parliament for refusing to heed calls to be the opposition’s “compromise” candidate and instead opted to be Uhuru’s running mate. Uhuru lost to Mwai Kibaki resoundingly. It was a setback for Mudavadi, who for more than two years thereafter avoided public life. He resuscitated his political career during the 2005 constitutional referendum, when he teamed up with opposition leader Raila Odinga to defeat the government side.
Mudavadi’s grouse with Jubilee goes back to the 2013 elections. Uhuru and Ruto made a covenant with the Amani leader in which they were to support him because they faced crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court. Hours after the deal was sealed, the two went back on their word. They repeatedly cast Mudavadi as too laid-back and lacking ambition. While Uhuru has since toned down, Ruto uses every opportunity available to project Mudavadi as a coward and incapable of leadership.
The bad blood between Mudavadi and Ruto goes back to 2007, when Orange Democratic Movement stalwart Raila Odinga preferred him to Ruto as running mate against President Kibaki. This is because Mudavadi cuts the profile of trustworthiness and hails from a community that shares similar economic and political setbacks with Raila’s Nyanza stronghold. In contrast, Ruto is scandal-ridden, despite the energy and gusto he brings to any political contest.
The gulf between Ruto and Mudavadi widened further when Raila appointed the latter a deputy prime minister, allegedly reneging on a pact among members of the Pentagon (the then ODM decision-making organ) that had reserved the premier’s position for Ruto.
The transition comes as a major surprise to friend and foe. The latest in this transformation curve is this week’s statement in which Mudavadi took a swipe at President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, whom he cast as tricksters out to return the country to one-party rule. He was angry that Jubilee leaders are arm-twisting the coalition’s affiliates to dissolve into the Jubilee Party. Prior to that, the former vice president and Sabatia MP had declined an invitation to team up with Uhuru and Ruto, describing them as ‘conmen’ incapable of delivering on their promises to the electorate.
Main story: I won’t work with Uhuru - Mudavadi
In 2002, he also rejected nomination by Kanu when he was voted out of Parliament for refusing to heed calls to be the opposition’s “compromise” candidate and instead opted to be Uhuru’s running mate. Uhuru lost to Mwai Kibaki resoundingly. It was a setback for Mudavadi, who for more than two years thereafter avoided public life. He resuscitated his political career during the 2005 constitutional referendum, when he teamed up with opposition leader Raila Odinga to defeat the government side.
Mudavadi’s grouse with Jubilee goes back to the 2013 elections. Uhuru and Ruto made a covenant with the Amani leader in which they were to support him because they faced crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court. Hours after the deal was sealed, the two went back on their word. They repeatedly cast Mudavadi as too laid-back and lacking ambition. While Uhuru has since toned down, Ruto uses every opportunity available to project Mudavadi as a coward and incapable of leadership.
The bad blood between Mudavadi and Ruto goes back to 2007, when Orange Democratic Movement stalwart Raila Odinga preferred him to Ruto as running mate against President Kibaki. This is because Mudavadi cuts the profile of trustworthiness and hails from a community that shares similar economic and political setbacks with Raila’s Nyanza stronghold. In contrast, Ruto is scandal-ridden, despite the energy and gusto he brings to any political contest.
The gulf between Ruto and Mudavadi widened further when Raila appointed the latter a deputy prime minister, allegedly reneging on a pact among members of the Pentagon (the then ODM decision-making organ) that had reserved the premier’s position for Ruto.
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