[NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi. He has vowed to ensure that Western Kenya region votes overwhelmingly for NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga. Courtesy: The Star]
Amani National Congress Leader and Opposition coalition co-principal Musalia Mudavadi on Saturday defended his move to shelve his presidential ambitions in favour of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking at Kakamega's Bukhungu Stadium, Mudavadi observed that it could have been suicidal for all the four NASA principals to seek the presidency separately, admitting that that would have granted President Uhuru Kenyatta an early election win.
He noted that it was important for him to bow out of the race in favour of Mr Odinga, exuding confidence that the Luhya Community would back Mr Odinga's bid.
“I realised that I cannot walk alone in the presidency journey and that is why we decided to come together and form NASA. I am very optimistic that locals in this region will vote to the last man for Raila,” he said.
Mudavadi's remarks were aimed at stemming a possible voter apathy in the region during the August polls.The NASA presidential ticket had also attracted the interest of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula.The duo also resolved to back Mr Odinga for presidency, with Mr Musyoka expected to deputize the ODM Party leader.Mudavadi and Wetangula are poised for senior government positions should NASA win the presidency.This is according to a power sharing agreement signed among the five NASA affiliate parties.