NAIROBI, KENYA: Deputy President William Ruto has said former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi will be in the Jubilee Government.
Musalia Mudavadi
Speaking during his first visit of Western since Jubilee’s victory, Mr Ruto said they would not leave Mr Mudavadi out in the cold.
He said Mudavadi was a close ally and would add value to the Government.
“Mudavadi is our friend and we have resolved to walk along with him in this journey, we will not abandon him,” he added.
The Deputy President spoke at Lumakanda grounds during the homecoming of Lugari MP Ayub Savula on Saturday.
Mudavadi, Senator Charles Keter, MPs Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Ben Washiali (Mumias East), Injendi Malulu (Malava), Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) Ben Shinali and Women Representative Anne Nyokabi were present.
Last week, President Uhuru unveiled 16 nominees for Cabinet Secretary positions leaving out two slots.
Mr Agoi and Malulu had asked Ruto to prevail upon Uhuru not to leave Mudavadi out of his Government.
“We are requesting you to prevail upon Uhuru to give Mudavadi one of the two Cabinet Secretary slots,” Malulu told Ruto. Said Agoi: “The President should increase Cabinet Secretary slots from 18 to 22 as stipulated in the Constitution to accommodate Mudavadi”.
They noted the former DPM’s experience would help Jubilee government to achieve its goals.
Mudavadi urged residents and MPs from the region to support the Government.
“I thank you for supporting my bid for president though I was not successful and I urge you to support the Jubilee government,” he added.
Mr Savula said the Luhya community would achieve development and their political agenda if they supported Uhuru’s government.
Ruto also defended the nomination of Najib Balala and Charity Ngilu to the Cabinet, saying they have a wealth of experience.
At the same time he said a vibrant and responsible opposition was needed so that nobody in the Government would sleep on the job.
By Peter Atsiaya and Jacob Ngetich, The Standard
