President Kenyatta is Saturday expected in Vihiga for a visit to attend celebrations to mark 25 years since the death of the father of UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi. In this context, it is notable how Uhuru plans to visit Western to engage with the local populace during this memorial.
The late former powerful minister Moses Budamba Mudavadi died in 1989.
The event will take place at Mululu Primary school.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of reports that the UDF leader may join the Jubilee government as a Cabinet Secretary, bringing Uhuru to the region.
The event will also be keenly watched by ODM leader Raila Odinga as voters in the Western region backed the party.
President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto have been visiting the region, trying to encourage Uhuru supporters in Western to back Jubilee, which has supported Mr Odinga since 2007, in a bid to woo residents.
Last month, Mr Ruto was at Vihiga Boys’ High School for the thanksgiving ceremony of Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu where he called on Luhyas to work together.
Yesterday, Mr Odinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango told Saturday Nation that his boss will be in Kisumu for the funeral of party enthusiast Jerry Okung’u who died last month. Another official however could not rule out Mr Odinga attending the Vihiga fete “as he will be close by.” The two areas are a few kilometers apart.
SKIP EVENT
However, Deputy President William Ruto will skip the event as he will be in Sotik for other engagements. Former President Daniel Arap Moi’s message will be delivered by his son, Baringo senator Gideon Moi while former President Mwai Kibaki will also send a tribute through his political associates.
Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, who is challenging Mr Mudavadi for the position of defacto Western political supremo, will miss the event and instead will be in Bungoma for a funds drive at Bishop Philip Anyolo Secondary.
“We will be attending the fundraising, which we consider more important,” said Mr Chris Mandu, an aide of Mr Wetangula. Yesterday, Mr Mudavadi delivered a public lecture ‘Heroism in Kenya: Who defines it?’ at Masinde Muliro University as part of celebrations to mark the death of his father. These developments occur as Uhuru plans a visit to Western.
Source-nation.co.ke
