Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula will keep their positions if there are changes in the national government, President William Ruto has reassured the two.

The pledge followed reports that ODM leaders were salivating for the positions after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga lost the African Union Commission chairmanship contest last month and is now expected to lead more of his troops into the government.

ODM leaders have already scooped key parliamentary committee posts as Raila and President Ruto cultivate closer relations following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Raila has said he is to make a major announcement on his political plans this month, and he triggered more speculation when he met retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday.

Impeccable sources told People Daily yesterday that the President had assured Mudavadi and Wetang’ula that they would retain their positions if he joins forces with Raila, who is said to be designated to become a non-executive Prime Minister.

The reassurance followed demands from leaders in the Western region – during a meeting in Kakamega after the burial of Malava MP Moses Malulu Injendi – who wanted to know what would happen to the duo.

Leaders from Kakamega who spoke to us said the President had committed to upholding his pre-election pact with Mudavadi and Wetang’ula.

While they did not oppose closer ties between President Ruto and Raila, they said, they were keen to know the positions of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula in the broad-based government.

“President Ruto assured us unequivocally that there was no debate about the positions held by Hon Mudavadi and Wetang’ula. And we believed him 100 per cent,” said Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, a close ally of the trio.

Speaking during the burial of Malulu on Tuesday, the President avoided national politics and instead called for national unity.

“I’m determined to unite the country as we move to the future. So those who still think of propagating ethnic bigotry are doomed,” he said.

Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli were among notable leaders from the Luhya community present.

Atwoli asked the President not to abandon the Luhya Nation and vouched for Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to continue occupying their positions.

“My younger brothers Musalia and Weta stood with you when some of us were on the other side. I, thus, urge you to protect them at all costs even as you mull about a broad-based government,” he added.

Impeachment plot

There have been reports of a plot to impeach Wetang’ula, alongside concerns about Mudavadi’s position in the event that Raila joins the government as a non-executive PM.

Raila’s joining the government should not mean punishment for the Luhya community, Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka said yesterday.

These sentiments were echoed by his Lugari counterpart Nabii Nabwera, who said the duo were going nowhere.

Ikolomani MP Benard Shinali said Western leaders trusted President Ruto’s assurances and that they would resist any attempts to replace any of the two.

“Musalia and Wetang’ula are our leaders at the national level and we shall ensure they retain their positions in government,” he added.

Shinali, the chairman of the Kakamega Parliamentary Group, has been tasked by Wetang’ula to act as MP for Malava.

During the burial ceremony for Malulu on Tuesday, Ruto committed to working with leaders from Kakamega County to speed up the implementation of crucial government projects and programmes.

He cited the construction of roads, electricity connections and agricultural programmes, which he said will transform the region.

The President also announced that the leasing programme for public sugar companies Nzoia, Chemelil, Muhoroni and Sony is on course.

“Mumias Sugar Company had been leased and farmers were already reaping the benefits,” he said.

“Our goal is to ensure that sugar farming thrives in Western Kenya because it is what will help us increase farmers’ incomes and boost the region’s economy,” he said.

Misinformation about government programmes, Mudavadi claimed, had been extended to the affordable housing programme, with allegations that the houses do not come with title deeds.

A law exists, he said, that provides for such units to be issued with sectional title deeds.

“That was propaganda meant to derail the affordable housing programme,” he said.

Wetang’ula asked Kenyans not to resist changes spearheaded by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to improve healthcare.

“When you buy new shoes, the new pair will be uncomfortable compared to the old pair, and you might think the old shoes are better yet the new ones are the best,” he said.

He noted that some Kenyans were quick to say SHA was not working when they had not even registered.