Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has mocked a section of politicians who claimed to be in government after President Uhuru Kenyatta's reelection.
Speaking on Monday at Radio Maisha's Bunge La Maisha, Mudavadi laughed at the group who considered itself deep inside government(ndaani ndaani ya serikali), saying that some members have now been displaced.
He observed that they are now the ones complaining, while some who were never in the picture now enjoying the benefits, in a veiled shot at Deputy President William Ruto and his allies and supporters.
According to Mudavadi, it is now the supporters of some members of the opposition politicians who are reaping, in an apparent reference to ODM leader Raila Odinga, who has been very close to Uhuru after their 2018 handshake.
"Some of those who were claiming to be deep inside are no longer there. It's now some members of the opposition who are now there. (Wale walikuwa wanasema wako ndaani ndaani sasa hawako tena, baadhi ya wanachama wa NASA ndio waliingia ndaani ndaani)," he said.
His sentiments come at a time when Ruto's allies and supporters have been complaining on a range of issues, including the Mau evictions and the cancellation of the Kimwarer Dam Project.
On his side, Raila and his allies have been seen comfortable around Uhuru, which has seen his Nyanza backyard receive goodies, including the Kisumu Port refurbishment.
About his own plans, Mudavadi ruled out shelving his presidential ambitions for 2022 at any cost, saying that he has embarked on restrengthening his party in preparation.
The former Vice President said that he will surely be in the race to succeed Uhuru, after twice shelving his bid in favour of Raila in 2007 and 2017.
"We are strengthening ANC in preparation for 2022 and God willing, I will vie for the presidency. I have been a kingmaker because I don't have a lust for leadership but some people have an unending lust. (Tunastrengthen ANC tukingoja 2022 na Mungu akinipa uhai nitasimama urais. Nimekuwa kingmaker kwa sababu sina tamaa ya uongozi lakini wengine wako na tamaa ambayo haiishi)," he noted.
The declaration comes barely months after his return from the United States, where he went to lobby support for his pending bid.