Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed claims that he is trying to impose a candidate in the upcoming Malava by-election, describing the allegations as “cheap and baseless.”
Speaking during a Teachers’ Appreciation and Stakeholder Engagement Day at Friends Tande High School on Tuesday, Mudavadi affirmed that leadership must be determined by the people, not political boardrooms.
“I want to make it clear that I am not here to support or impose any candidate in Malava,” Mudavadi said. “You will wait a long time before I publicly endorse anyone. Elect your own leader.”
He clarified that while he had advised the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to field a candidate, the decision on who should lead lies solely with the electorate.
The Prime CS urged residents to be thoughtful about their choice, encouraging them to elect a leader who is honest, accountable, and capable of managing resources such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), while prioritizing education and local development.
“The leader you elect will not only serve you but also legislate for the whole country,” he reminded the gathering.
Mudavadi, who is expected to spearhead UDA’s campaign in the by-election, used the platform to denounce clan-based politics, calling it divisive and outdated.
“In the past few days, I have met with clan chairmen, elders, MCAs, administrators, and today, with you—the teachers, who are respected opinion shapers. My only interest is the well-being of Malava and its people,” he said.
“This is not the time to view leadership through the lens of clans. Let’s rise above traditional thinking.”
He also emphasized the need for unity in Western Kenya and cautioned against misinformation and political distractions that, he said, often derail development.
“We must stop selling ourselves short. Let’s analyze our political trends seriously and begin seeing the bigger picture,” Mudavadi urged.
Turning his attention to the 2027 general elections, the Prime CS noted the difficulty of defeating a sitting president in Africa, citing Kenya’s political history.
“It will be very difficult to defeat President William Ruto in 2027. He is building broad alliances and increasing his influence,” he said, pointing to past re-elections of Presidents Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta.
Recalling his own experience in the 2017 elections as part of the opposition alliance NASA, Mudavadi noted, “We campaigned hard, but we still lost.”
He concluded by urging the people of Malava and the broader Western region to work with the government to benefit from critical development projects, including infrastructure, education, and access to clean water.
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