Mudavadi’s ANC hit by wave of defections in his backyard
Aspirants gunning for key positions on Amani National Congress (ANC) ticket have ditched the party over fears that they will be rigged out during nominations.
They decried insincerity, favourism in the coming primaries where some aspirants have been assured direct tickets.
ANC boss Musalia Mudavadi’s allies Babira Ndeda, Jackson Swadi, political scientist Joseph Simekha, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and Vihiga Senator George Khaniri are among the leading politicians who have shunned the party
Ndeda was on Monday was unveiled as the Progressive Party of Kenya(PPK) senatorial candidate during the party’s National Delegates Convention held in Vihiga.
PPK leader Moses Akaranga unveiled Ndeda to fly the party ticket. Ndeda said ditched ANC following frustration by party officials.
“I have decamped from ANC to PPK where I will fly the ticket for Vihiga senatorial seat,” said Ndeda.
Swadi, another close all of Mudavadi, quit ANC and joined Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance.
Addressing the press at Mbale town yesterday, Swadi claimed ANC officials are not sincere in conducting free and fair nominations. Swadi said it was useless and a waste of time to go to the nominations and yet ANC party officials have their preferred candidates for tickets.
“ANC top officials have their own candidate for Vihiga Senate seat. I decided to move out and join UDA where I will be able to get a ticket,” said Swadi.
Simekha decamped from the party, saying there were plans to give the Senate ticket to a preferred candidate.
“I have been missing in action for the last two months because I have been anxiously consulting within the party and with my supporters. On this one for the ANC Vihiga senatorial ticket, I have finally resolved to be a coward. This fight pits me against leaders with influential positions in ANC,” stated Simekha.
Fair competition
He added: “The result is already fixed; I can never win. I lost this fight before it begun. I have quietly raised my concerns with relevant authorities in the party and patiently waited, but I have not heard or seen anything to give me confidence that there can ever be a fair competition for this ticket,” he said.
Simekha said he still regards the ANC boss as a leader worthy of his support when another opportunity presents itself in future.
Osotsi on the other hand decamped to Raila Odinga’s the Orange party for fear of frustrations from ANC officials.
Osotsi will fly the ODM ticket in Vihiga senatorial race. “ANC died long time ago when I quit as the secretary general. Those who are still in that political shell are in trouble,” said Osotsi.
Meanwhile, Vihiga Deputy Governor Patrick Saisi has declared that he will face his boss Wilber Ottichilo in the polls.
Saisi, who has been caught up in a vicious fight with Ottichilo, declared yesterday that he will vie on The Equitable Party after decamping from ODM.
New outfit
Saisi said he decided to shop for a new outfit after he realised that ODM favours Ottichilo.
He said he cannot be in the same party that his boss calls the shots and expect free and fair nomination.
“Today, I officially kicked off my new political journey by defecting from ODM to The Equitable Party where I was formally received by the party leader Gilbert Shanga, National Chairman Carey Karani and Secretary General Emmanuel Sore,” said Saisi.
Saisi said he has gained enough experience to run Vihiga county government as governor having served as deputy for the last four years.
Saisi’s declaration marks the end of his political marriage with Governor Ottichilo, who will now have to look for another running mate in his bid to seek re-election.
