Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has avoided a confrontation with his political opponents during Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa's father funeral in his Sabatia constituency.
Mr
Mudavadi told mourners Saturday he would not stay long because he had to attend
other funerals in Kakamega and Trans Nzoia counties.
The
Sabatia MP said he was for campaigns driven by respect for all presidential
aspirants irrespective of their political party affiliation and would not
engage in confrontational politics.
He
criticised those he said were sending text messages that the burial would turn
rowdy.
“There
was an SMS going round that the youth have gathered some stones and that they
would throw them at visitors. However, I want to state here categorically that
that is not my style of politics, I want politics that promote unity during
campaigns.” said Mr Mudavadi.
He
said he had attended the funeral as the area MP and a friend to the Mayor’s
family but not to show off his political might against Prime Minister Raila
Odinga.
The
DPM further said that he had offered himself to succeed President Kibaki and
other aspirants should recognise that Kenyans will decide who becomes the next
president.
“The
campaigns should not be filled with name calling and insults. Politics of
competition is not politics of hatred rather it is competitive politics.”
Mr
Mudavadi then left the venue before Mr Odinga had arrived but his allies including
Lands minister James Orengo, his immigration counterpart Otieno Kajwang,
Assistant minister Elizabeth Ongoro and Migori MP John Pesa were greeted to
chants of "UDF" from some mourners while others chanted
"ODM".
Earlier, while speaking in Bungoma, Mr Odinga challenged politicians who have defected from parties that sponsored them to Parliament to seek fresh mandate.
The PM recounted how he left Ford Kenya for LDP saying he through a by-election in his Langata constituency.
Mr Odinga urged Kenyans to elect leaders who will push for reforms saying the next General Election will be a contest between reformists and those keen to maintain the status quo.
"Kenya has lagged behind for long due to poor leadership. The coming polls will be a defining moment which you must not squander but must use wisely to put in positions of leadership individuals with reform credentials," he said during the burial of late councillor Samson Wasike Bunyasi, a long serving chairman of Nzoia County Council.
By ABIUD OCHIENG and BENSON AMADALA Nation
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