Battle for Western Kenya hots up as Mudavadi, Wetangula plan major rallies

The scramble for Western vote is set to hot up as two key political figures in the region; Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula tour the region to consolidate their voting blocs.

Mudavadi will on Saturday traverse the region in a bid to consolidate his support ahead of the 2017 presidential election with Wetangula making follow-up rallies to his presidential bid launch held at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega last weekend.

The ANC leader is set to visit Friends Church National Conference before proceeding to attend a fundraiser at Booker Academy in Mumias.

He will then proceed to Tongaren in Bungoma County, the home of Ford Kenya General Secretary General Eseli Simiyu and home county to Wetangula.

Mudavadi’s tour comes barely two weeks after Wetangula, who is also CORD co-principal, launched his presidential bid at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega in an event that was snubbed by CORD leader Raila Odinga.

The launch, which was marred by violence, seems to have shaken Mudavadi’s perceived dominance in the region, despite his open declaration that it had no effect on his support base.

The ANC leader has in recent past held rallies in Vihiga, Kakamega and Trans Nzoia Counties in addition to holding meetings with opinion leaders and ANC members.

Wetangula, in his weekend schedule will hold parallel rallies in Malava as he drums up support for his presidential bid.

Other leaders that will accompany Mudavadi include Ford Kenya chairman and Turkana Senator John Munyes, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, MPs Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi), Aringo Onyura (Butula), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Suleiman Murunga (Kimilili) among others.

The team will then head to Sirisia on Sunday for a mass before holding a public rally at Sirisia Town.

Wetangula has remained adamant that his name will appear on the ballot, despite calls within CORD calling on him and Co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka to drop their bids for Raila Odinga.

@benjaminwafula