Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has changed tune about the Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi deputising the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate, William Ruto.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, March 14, Malala claimed that while ANC is pushing for their party leader to become Ruto's running mate, it will not be a deal-breaker should their wishes not be granted.
He added that the matter was still subject to negotiation between Mudavadi and Ruto and affirmed that ANC would not ditch the newly formed coalition should the slot be given to any other leader.
"When we joined Kenya Kwanza, the discussions were between Mudavadi and Ruto. We are not saying that Musalia Mudavadi must be the running mate, we only made a proposal which is subject to discussion,"
"The Kenya Kwanza is one, ANC is not going anywhere. We will negotiate, keeping in mind that politics is a game of give and take," Malala stated.
The outspoken senator also responded to sentiments by Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua who claimed that the running mate position would be handed to the Mount Kenya region.
He opined that Gachagua was correct in his sentiments owing to the fact that there was already an existing agreement between the leaders from the region and UDA before ANC joined Kenya Kwanza.
However, he stated that with new ties forged, the change of the terms of agreements is inevitable with the addition of new members to the coalition.
"There is some truth in what Rigathi said because maybe before we joined there was an agreement that the running mate would come from the region. Nonetheless, as more people join Kenya Kwanza, the formation is bound to change.
"Tomorrow, someone else may come, it could be Martha Karua or Speaker Justin Muturi and we may have to adjust to accommodate them. It is true that the deputy must come from the mountain region, whether Mount Kenya or Mount Elgon," he chided.
The selection of a running mate has become a pain in the neck for both Azimio la Umoja and Kenya Kwanza Coalitions. The conversation sparked a debate between the Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe and Murang'a Senator Irungu Kangata.
While Murathe claimed that Kenya Kanza would be finished if Mudavadi was not appointed as Ruto's deputy, Kang'ata on the other side argued that Azimio had nothing to offer to the communities from the vote-rich Mount Kenya region.
"In any case, I am sorry for them because they are dammed if they do and if they don't. If they give Musalia, Mount Kenya walks, if they give it to central, Mudavadi walks," Murathe remarked.
"You (Murathe) have said that the DP position is not reserved for the people of Mount Kenya at Azimio. While in Kenya Kwanza, we will get the DP position, we will fight for it," Kang'ata stated.
