Will Raila Odinga support Musalia Mudavadi in 2017 presidential race?

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• CORD leader Raila Odinga could back Musalia Mudavadi in 2017 presidential race, an ANC official has said

Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi at a past function. Can Raila support his former ally? 

– Simon Wesile, ANC Nakuru branch chairman, said Raila and Mudavadi have been meeting with the aim of joining forces – According to Wesile, Kalonzo Musyoka will be chosen to be a running mate once again if Raila endorses Mudavadi as the presidential candidate

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga could support another candidate in 2017 presidential race, a politician has said.Amani National Congress (ANC) Nakuru branch chairman, Simon Wesile, said Raila could back the party leader – Musalia Mudavadi.

“There are meetings going on and things are being worked on and we will see what that yields but I know Raila has that option of supporting Mudavadi and he is considering it,” said Wesile as published by HiviSasa on July 9.

Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi had a meeting on Saturday, June 4. The two are believed to have discussed the IEBC stand-off. Photo: Facebook/Dennis Onyango

According to the ANC official, the former prime minister could support Musalia Mudavadi as his main aim was to see Jubilee coalition out of power.In the arrangement, Musalia Mudavadi would be the presidential candidate with Kalonzo Musyoka being his running mate.

“Raila knows that his chances of winning 2017 are minimal and that is why he sees Mudavadi and Kalonzo as the best candidates to battle it out with Jubilee,”said Wasile as quoted by the website.

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri also felt that an alliance between the former political allies was the only way to beat Presiden Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017.

“The other leaders from this region (Western Kenya) should shelve their ambitions and let Musalia Mudavadi dialogue with ODM leader Raila Odinga so that the two can give us one person for all of us to support during the 2017 elections,” said Khaniri as published by Daily Nation on Tuesday, July 12.

Musalia Mudavadi has been fighting claims from some CORD coalition politicians that he was a Jubilee project meant to split the Luhya vote to the advantage of Uhuru. CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka at one point had to apologise to Musalia Mudavadi for linking him to Jubilee.

The former Sabatia MP once said it was his constitutional right to vie for the presidency (for a second time) in the 2017 elections. He believes that his presidency could unite Kenyans.

In the 2013 presidential race, Mudavadi came third after Uhuru and Raila. He got 29% of the votes from Western Kenya while Raila led in the region with 62%. Uhuru got 5% of the votes in the region.

Mudavadi supported Uhuru’s first presidential bid in 2002 after he was appointed vice president by the then president Daniel Moi.

CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi at the requiem mass of slain businessman Jacob Juma. Kalonzo linked Mudavadi to Jubilee but later apologised for his remarks. Photo: The Star

He backed Raila in the 2007 contest against Mwai Kibaki and was part of the ODM’s top organ – the pentagon. Raila became the prime minister in the grand coalition government that was formed after the post election violence. Mudavadi served as deputy prime minister alongside Uhuru.

Musalia Mudavadi said he would only drop his 2017 presidential bid if Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula is chosen as the CORD flag bearer.