Nasa co-principal, Musalia Mudavadi. [Photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has opened up on the reported rivalry within the National Super Alliance (Nasa).
ANC, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Ford Kenya, Wiper and Chama Cha Mashinani signed a coalition agreement in April to form Nasa.
However, reports have emerged in the recent past of conflicts within the coalition, over candidates from the Nasa affiliates competing for elective posts.
Evident cases are in Mombasa, where Senator Hassan Omar (Wiper) and Governor Hassan Joho (ODM) are battling for the governorship, Kakamega – Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Senator Boni Khalwale battling for the county’s top job – among others.
However, Mudavadi, a Nasa co-principal, says the rivalry among affiliate parties will not compromise Raila Odinga's fourth bid for the presidency.
Several pundits have argued that the rivalries in Western region could cost Mr Odinga victory against President Uhuru Kenyatta of Jubilee on August 8.
Nasa co-principals at a past rally. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Mudavadi said competition in the NASA strongholds of Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Kitui and Mombasa counties would also boost voter turnout that would enhance their chances of winning.
"Under the NASA umbrella, we have ODM, Wiper, Ford Kenya, ANC and Chama Cha Mashinani. The parties are only competing for the local seats but are all drumming up support for Raila Odinga. This enhances voter turnout in our strongholds to more than 90 per cent," the ANC leader said on Radio Citizen, Monday.
He said Mombasa and Kitui were NASA strongholds and the competition for the governor's seat pitting Joho against Omar, and Charity Ngilu of Narc versus Julius Malombe of Wiper in Kitui was “healthy”.
"In Vihiga, Yusuf Chanzu of ANC is battling Wilbur Ottichilo of ODM for the governorship; same as in Kakamega where Boni Khalwale of Ford-K is facing (Kakamega Governor) Wycliffe Oparanya of ODM and Michael Osundwa of ANC. In Bungoma, we have Alfred Khang'ati of ODM, Wycliffe Wangamati of Ford Kenya and Stephen Mutoro of ANC. This competition does not mean Jubilee will get any votes from these areas," he said.