Wetang'ula speaks of frustrations in Nasa
Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula. He has allayed fears that his recent truce with Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Mr Eugene Wamalwa, will scuttle ongoing talks on the merger of his party, Ford Kenya, and Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC). PHOTO | GAITANO PESSA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Senator Wetang'ula said he is ready to collaborate with leaders of the same mind to form a government in 2022.
- Mr Wetang'ula asked Mr Odinga to reciprocate the support the Luhya community accorded him when he contested the presidency.
Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula on Saturday made a U-turn over his Monday remarks that opposition outfit Nasa was dead.
The Bungoma senator, while in Kilifi County where he met party members, said he has been betrayed enough and might be going it alone in the 2022 general election.
But while in Busia on Saturday for the burial of Michael Magero at Mukhwayo village in Butula Constituency, Mr Wetangula swallowed his words claiming that he was quoted out of context.
"When I said Nasa is moribund I didn’t mean it was dead. By moribund I meant the coalition is in Intensive Care Unit.
"We have to agree that the outfit is facing many challenges. [That is] the reason why you are seeing member parties speaking from different scripts," he said.
HANDSHAKE
The Monday remarks attracted mixed reactions with Orange Democratic Movement calling him a coward.
Nasa affiliate parties (Wiper, ODM and Amani National Congress) started drifting apart chiefly after the March 9 handshake between ODM leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Senator Wetang'ula said he is ready to collaborate with leaders of the same mind in forming a government in 2022.
"Our proposed merger with ANC and other like-minded parties is aimed at building a strong pillar that will anchor a strong coalition. We want to see the leadership of this country more inclusive than before," he said.
SUPPORT US
Mr Wetang'ula asked Mr Odinga to reciprocate the support the Luhya community accorded him when he contested the presidency in the last three elections.
The legislator said he and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi have mothballed their presidential ambitions repeatedly, and it is now their turn to be endorsed.
"In 2013 I shelved my ambitions to support Raila; last year again I and Musalia did the same.
"We have supported him three times and [it is] high time he reciprocated."
On matters corruption, he said leaders from western Kenya support President Kenyatta's efforts to end the vice.
More importantly, he urged the Luhya community to forge relationships with other tribes to increase their political clout as they aim for the top seat.
MAGERO
Mr Magero, 89, died on July 9 after battling diabetes since 1995.
He is survived by three widows: Josephine Auma, Anna Anyango and Aluoch Magero; 91 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren.
