As a youngster, Musalia Mudavadi played rugby for Mean Machine RFC. Although rugby is a tough game that requires the highest level of physical endurance, off the pitch into the political arena, Mudavadi cuts the image of the perfect gentleman.
He doesn’t swear, rarely makes strongly-worded statements and is known for shying away from combative style of politics.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, it has taken years for Mudavadi to step out of his father’s shadow, and he is currently Western Kenya’s most commanding politician.
A political student of retired President Moi, Mudavadi’s biggest challenge in life was in 2012, when his wife Tessie Shangatti Mudavadi was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Coincidentally, it was while Mudavadi was coping with his wife’s illness that he was ‘betrayed’ after Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, Najib Balala and Chirau Ali Mwakwere persuaded him to become the Jubilee candidate, only to dump him two weeks later.
His wife’s cancer was fortunately arrested early, and she responded to treatment before fully recovering.