Mudavadi is the Western region kingpin, not Atwoli – says Herman Manyora

Political analyst Herman Manyora has dismissed assertions from certain quarters that Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli is the Western Kenya region political kingpin.

Manyora, who spoke in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, instead placed that crown on the head of the soft-spoken Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi.

Despite Atwoli successfully hosting a convention of Luhya leaders at Kakamega County’s Bukhungu stadium on New Year’s Eve, which saw them back Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, Manyora insists that Mudavadi’s political presence still reigns supreme in the region.

“Some people think it is Atwoli but I come from Western and I know that Mudavadi is the undisputed king of the region,” Manyora said.

The One Kenya Alliance (OKA) co-principal however, Manyora argues, has failed to live up to expectations and his title as Western Kenya’s most influential political figure.

According to Manyora, Mudavadi’s failure to stamp his authority in the region has made other political figures confidently encroach in his backyard, without even acknowledging him, as they ramp up support ahead of the August polls.

“He has not effectively occupied the position, for that reason the extent to which he carries Western Kenya is quite doubtful, Oparanya commands more votes than Mudavadi.”

The ANC leader’s inability to command the region, Manyora says, has highlighted Western Kenya’s inability to produce a serious presidential contender ahead of the August polls.

“Mudavadi doesn’t seem to be effectively in charge of the region and, as such, it is perceived that Western Kenya doesn’t have a presidential candidate and that is why everybody is trooping there,” Manyora explained.

The political analyst also chimed in on OKA’s delayed move to announce a flag bearer, stating that the party’s principals are stuck between a rock and a hard place especially since Odinga doesn’t necessarily have to work with them.

“Raila is able to ignore them and work with other politicians in the region. If you leave Mudavadi and Wetangula and you have CS Eugene Wamalwa, Francis Atwoli, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, you are doing well,” he said.

“If you ignore Kalonzo Musyoka, you have Governors Charity Ngilu, Alfred Mutua and Kivutha Kibwana, you are not doing badly.”