ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi has come to the defence of Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala over remarks he made during Deputy President William Ruto's rally in Kakamega on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
Speaking after a church service in Nairobi on Sunday, January 9, the ANC leader maintained that Malala was free to attend the UDA rally in Eldoret.
Mudavadi further stated that he listened to Malala's sentiments at the DP Ruto rally and finds nothing wrong with what the senator said.
“I cannot hold anything against Senator Malala. It is within his right. I listened to the remarks that he made there and I don’t think that he made any remarks that would in any way be inimical to this country,” he stated.
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File image of ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala (r). |Photo| Courtesy|
Mudavadi's remarks came hours after ANC Secretary-General Simon Gakuru issued a statement distancing the party from Malala's sentiments in the Eldoret rally.
“The ANC party would like to disassociate itself with the activities taking place at Eldoret Sports Club Grounds where UDA Party is holding its rally.
“ANC has not sent anybody to represent either the party or the Party Leader in the said function. The official party position should only come from Party Leader or the Secretary-General,” the statement read.
Malala defended his decision to attend the rally, and his remarks at the forum, stating that he is only answerable to Mudavadi and the people of Kakamega.
“I am only answerable to two entities. One, my party leader Musalia Mudavadi and the people of Kakamega, and if my party leader is not offended by my presence in Eldoret, nobody else should be offended.
“Nobody should mourn more than the bereaved. I will continue championing for the interests of Musalia Mudavadi as we move in 2022 to ensure that he is in the correct team that is going to form the government,” Malala stated.
During the Eldoret rally, Malala’s presence added to the ongoing speculation that DP Ruto and Mudavadi may be forging an alliance ahead of the August 9 General Elections.
“If Musalia Mudavadi comes to Uasin Gishu to look for friends and he finds this man called hustler, is that wrong?” Malala posed to the crown in Eldoret.
