Mudavadi, Wetangula dismiss claims of supremacy battle in Western region

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (right) flanked by the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetanguala during a service in Bungoma on Sunday, August 27, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula have dismissed claims that they are locked in a supremacy battle in the Western region.

The two leaders said they were working together harmoniously and accused their political detractors of spreading false rumours to divide their supporters.

They spoke on Sunday at a thanksgiving and prayer service in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, where they urged the residents to focus on the development agenda of the region and ignore the propaganda.

Mudavadi said the allegations of a turf war between him and Wetangula were "baseless and nonsensical" and meant to distract the people from the real issues affecting them.

He said he respected Wetangula as the Speaker of the National Assembly and that he was serving as the Prime Cabinet Secretary by the appointment of the President.

"Please don't waste your ink, energy and time by trying to create narratives that there is a supremacy battle between me and Wetangula. He is the Speaker of the National Assembly by right and I am an appointee of the President as the Prime Cabinet Secretary," Mudavadi said.

"We have a common goal between me and Wetangula and it is all about serving our people and Kenyans at large. When we go to hunt, we go together and when we get the prize we share equally with our people," he added.

Wetangula echoed Mudavadi's sentiments saying they had been friends for a long time and nothing could separate them. He said some people were jealous of their friendship and wanted to cause disunity among their supporters.

"Mudavadi is my longtime friend. We have come from far together and nothing can separate us," Wetangula said.

"Mudavadi is my brother. We cracked our heads together before making the bold decision to join Ruto in the run-up to the 2022 General Elections. And indeed we are the ones who laughed last because he who laughs last laughs the best and laughs the longest," he added.