Opposition should not be our hobby, Mudavadi, Lusaka warn western region

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Bungoma Governor have told the electorate in Western Kenya not to perennially take pride in Opposition politics.

The duo stated that Opposition politics is a frustrating affair characterised by a litany of lamentations, pleas and petitions without providing solutions.

They said the Mulembe Nation had fraternised with the Opposition for too long to an extent that it is no longer in their desire to be in Government.

Mudavadi who is also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs observes that being in the Opposition is a result of a failed attempt to form Government and not an ambition..

He argues that every political party goes to the election with the purpose of forming the next Government but not as a choice to oppose it.

During a joint interview on regional radio and television stations on Sunday night alongside host Governor Paul Otuoma of Busia and Kakamega counterpart Fernandes Barasa, Mudavadi and Lusaka urged the voters and politicians from the region to appreciate the gains that come with being in government rather than perpetually shouting and hurling brickbats at it from the outside.

“Let me state here and now that we should not approach politics casually. We do not have to take the Opposition as a hobby. We must be ambitious and our aim should be to form Government, not to remain in the Opposition forever. We cannot peg our fortunes in the Opposition. Being in the Opposition should be as a result of bad luck during election time and not as our granted prayer or ambition,” stated Mudavadi.

Lusaka echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, stating that world over people find themselves in the Opposition not by choice but as a result of bad luck

The Bungoma Governor who is also the chairperson of the Lake Region Economic Block observed: “We should not take pride in the Opposition.

That is retrogressive. It is only by bad luck that we sometimes find ourselves there. But we should not take it as our lifetime ambition. It is a bad place to be.

You can only implement your manifesto after you have formed Government, not from the Opposition
It is because we are in Government that we are able to realise the premises we made during the campaigns.

That is why we are able to witness the construction of new tarmac roads, hospitals, schools, markets, industrial parks and even airstrips.

That is also why we are in a position to reap number yields from our farms through agriculture. There is more to gain while in Government than from the Opposition. When in the Opposition, the best you can do is to complain and hope that someone listens to your grievances. Hope is the best you can achieve and live on.”

Mudavadi asked the residents of Western Kenya to positively reflect on the political antics of former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga, who whenever he did not make it to State House after a presidential contest, he always had a way of seeking out the Government so that he could partner in fostering development in political turfs.

That is the way it should be. Not grandstanding in perpetuity.”

The former Vice-President noted that the late Raila was a pragmatic politician who put the interests of the country and his people before anything else and that is why he was never ashamed of working with those who emerged victorious in the presidential contest, even when their win was highly disputable.

Concluded the one time Finance Minister: “We must take lessons from Raila. We should never aspire to embrace the Opposition as a hobby. We must always strive to form Government so that we are in a position to realise meaningful development.”

The joint Presser by Mudavadi and the Governors was held at Otuona’s residence. It was the second in a row, the first one having been hosted by Barasa at the Kakamega County headquarters.

Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo did not attend the Busia media briefing as he is in Antalya, Turkeye, attending the environmental COP 31global event.

The third edition of the joint media engagement will be held in Bungoma, to be hosted by local Governor, Lusaka.