Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed claims that the party is courting Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru to be his running mate in the 2022 General Elections.
While appearing on Citizen TV’s News Night, the 2022 presidential hopeful dismissed remarks made earlier by Deputy Party Leader Ayub Savula that ANC is looking to partner with Waiguru ahead of next year’s polls.
Mudavadi stated that Savula made the comments out of excitement and the sentiments do not represent the position of the party.
Asked whether it is true the party is courting Waiguru, the ANC leader denied, however, noted that the party will maintain an open approach ahead of the August 9, 2022 polls.
“No. We are not courting any specific person for running mate. We are looking at it openly. That was Savula… In his peak of excitement he made his comments. I asked him and he said they were personal sentiments. Even though he made some reference to ANC no such commitment has been made,” Mudavadi stated.
He reaffirmed his bid for the presidency, noting that he will be looking at a person with integrity and who is trustworthy to become his running mate.
While appearing before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on September 9, the presence of Savula and other top ANC officials at the EACC headuarters raised eyebrows as to what is brewing within the party’s camp.
Savula then proceeded to stated that the party is looking to work with Waiguru is ensuring Mudavadi is elected head of state in 2022.
“We are courting Anne Waiguru as ANC. We don’t want her intimidated by anyone, we know its because of politics and that it is very difficult to sell a certain party and a certain individual who is standing as a candidate,” he said.
However, Waiguru has recently stated that despite receiving multiple offers to become running mate, she is hell bent on retaining her seat as Kirinyaga governor.