Amani National Congress (ANC) on Sunday unveiled five deputy party leaders to work with Musalia Mudavadi ahead of August 9 general election.
The five are Margaret Ntokai, Issa Timami, Abdi Yare, Sakwa Bunyasi and Kasim Sawa Tandaza.
Kelvin Lunani will be the party’s national chairman while Simon Kamau retains his seat as Secretary General.
After a week laced with threats of tectonic movements in the country on Sunday, the country yesterday witnessed an unlikely movement in the political scene, as a new alliance bringing together Deputy President William Ruto and One Kenya Alliance leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula was born.
Pundits say the perceived death of OKA and the birth of the new alliance will be a game-changer as the country readies for the general election.
Mudavadi, the ANC leader, had promised to deliver an earth-shaking pronouncement and although it was a duty of guesswork for both friend and foe, it was not expected the earthquake he promised will consume the very people he had crafted an alliance they said will take them beyond the August 9 election.
However, as the events unfolded at the Bomas of Kenya, it was clear as day the other OKA principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Gideon Moi had been caught off guard and they were forced to storm out of the event with drooping faces as they realised they could be the only visitors in a function they didn’t know what was in store for them.
Once they left, the event preceded and the hosts began delivering what they had promised will shake the nation’s politics.
First, it was the entry of UDA members led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and former Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi that raised attention.
Moi who had already settled became fidgety at the high table and was seen in some negotiations with his team. Wiper leader Kalonzo soon joined him as dozens of Ruto allies began trooping into the auditorium pointing to a particular direction.
They didn’t wait to confirm the obvious as they soon walked out without uttering a word. With that settled, more of the DP allies stormed into the event as if it was their own, as the ANC supporters began wondering what was happening. When Ruto arrived at 2.14 pm it was already obvious the unexpected was about to happen.
The DP received a rapturous welcome and was ushered to the high table where a seat had already been reserved for him.
When Mudavadi addressed the event, he did not hide his disdain for Azimio la Umoja led by Raila Odinga ruling out any possibility of them working with the outfit which enjoys President Uhuru Kenyatta’s support.
“We shall no longer countenance the company of those who cannot be trusted. No, never again. For the avoidance of doubt, the ANC stand, which I am privileged, to pronounce is that the specter called Azimio is not an option when it comes to partnerships. Indeed, this thing is neither an Azimio nor about unity,” Mudavadi said.
It was an absolute declaration against attempts by the President to bring together the leaders to support Raila under the Azimio coalition, as the ANC leader called out those had termed as political liars who did not deserve to lade the country.
To show his willingness to embrace Ruto and his bottom-up economics the DP has been promoting across the country, Mudavadi said it would be easier to promote their ideologies together going forward.
“We are here to renew ourselves. To find fresh energy and fresh commitment to the great sacrifices that lie ahead…we have begun the journey to end personality cults and the impunity that goes wit them. To replace them with elevated national goals, values and agendas. Na huu ni ukweli, tusidanganyane.
“Uchumi bora, pesa mfukoni is about moving sovereignity to shared economic benefits for all. No one will be left behind or be discriminated against. Hata hustlers wanahitaji uchumi bora na pesa mfukoni,” Mudavadi said.
The DP, who is battling a bitter and tough disengagement from the ruling Jubilee administration, said the new alliance would mark a big day for the country’s political scene.
“Today marks a turning point in the politics of the Republic of Kenya. Today marks a new page in the political discourse of our nation. Mudavadi has spoken to the heart of our nation, to the challenges of our nation. He has stood tall like no other time. I want to confirm here that we will work with ANC, Ford Kenya and all the other parties that want to walk this journey of bringing Kenya together,” the DP said.
