Allies of Deputy President William Ruto and politician Musalia Mudavadi have put on the spot Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, asking them to declare their preferred 2022 presidential candidate.
Deposed Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali, MPs Malulu Injendi (Malava), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Ayub Savula (Lugari) and former Kakamega Senator, Dr. Boni Khalwale, said that CS Wamalwa and Oparanya should be honest with the public on whom they support.
“It is a season of politics and the handshake is not an individual to vote for in an election, so let them come out clear because if they’ve no interest in the seat and they are against Musalia and Ruto then they should name their candidate, Washiali charged.
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Speaking when he hosted Jubilee's Tanga Tanga MPs at his Shianda rural home in Mumias East constituency, Washiali claimed that the so-called development agenda for the region was a smokescreen for invisible forces seeking to divide the Western region through Wamalwa and Oparanya.
“Where have they been for eight years to wake up now and declare they stand for development?” the MP asked, claiming the government tax waivers, plan to lease the public-owned sugar factories, and a ban on brown sugar imports were designed to benefit key players in the sector.
Savula, speaking at a separate function in Kilingili, Likuyani Constituency accused Oparanya and Wamalwa of being dishonest in their opposition to Musalia's candidacy.
“We know they are working for someone...let then go public even if it is ODM leader Raila Odinga so the voters can choose,” said the Lugari MP.
Savula said it was rather curious for the duo, working in cahoots with four Western Kenya governors to claim that they can provide a quick-fix solution to the region's development challenges in just over two years' time.
The Lugari MP faulted the governors, wondering how they would offer a quick fix now having already failed with over Sh100 billion of devolved resources allocated to them over the years.
On their part, Malava, Webuye West and Kimilili MPs said it was time Musalia looked in the Rift Valley for allies in his quest for the presidency.
The MPs told Musalia that with the death of the National Super Alliance and the widening cracks within the Jubilee Party, the time is ripe for realignments.
“Our neighbour William Ruto is just here. He is not looking for supporters but partners. Musalia should act like a general and join him because the Kieleweke group is occupied by Raila and Uhuru’s men,” Malulu urged.
