Reject strongman's bullying tactics, says ANC leader

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi yesterday said Kenyans should reject strongman’s bullying by cartels so as to impose leaders on them.

Mudavadi also launched a broadside against Raila Odinga’s allies that the ODM leader would be a transitional leader saying it was a ploy to hoodwink voters to back him.

In his New Year message to Kenyans from Mombasa, the ANC leader said Kenya transited into a new order under the 2010 constitution and that Kenyans were for either continuity or new begging. 

“Kenyans have been lied to that the country needs a transiting leader as some have cynically called it. There is no such thing as a transiting leader in our constitution,” said Mudavadi.

The ANC leader said Kenya requires a leader with conviction to hoist the banner of new beginnings in economic recovery and governance.

He said he was the person to lead the country out of “historical and resurgent political mischief and economic banditry and malaise” and promised to soon unveil his agenda for the country.

Mudavadi whose clarion call is ‘uchumi bora, pesa mufukoni’ asked Kenyans to reject “strongman bullying tactics by cartels that intend to pre-rig election through imposition of handpicked leaders”.

The ANC leader said all the promises made by Jubilee government to reduce the cost of food, electricity and fuel have remained in the realm of hope deferred.

He pointed out that the health, education security, transport SMEs and the energy sectors have also taken a beating.

Mudavadi said poverty has escalated as businesses have either closed, relocated or downsized and unemployment sored.

“In the year 2022 we are likely to see an escalation of economic and social misfortunes as more loans become due and the government increases tax so as to repay the debt.

He said the year should not however be another experience of impunity in the management of public resources.

“Yes, corruption has been normalised over the last nine years. Annual reports from the Auditor general and controller of budget bear horrid evidence how money meant to be stolen is specifically budgeted for as money to be stolen,” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi said Covid-19 only worsened an already staggering economy and an overloaded health sector. It intensified the already high cost of living, wrought on Kenyans by an unrelenting public debt burden due to government choice of costly loans.