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Musalia Mudavadi

DATE OF BIRTH


September 21, 1960

GENDER


Male

OCCUPATION


Politician, Land economist

FAMILY


Married to Tessy Musalia with three children

BIOGRAPHY


Education: Early learning at Nairobi Primary School, then Jamhuri and Nairobi School for his A-levels before proceeding to the University of Nairobi for his Bachelor of Arts (Land Economics) degree.

Political career: Mr Mudavadi, who is Kenya’s 7th Vice President (VP), was first elected an MP in 1989 after the death of his father, Mr Moses Mudavadi. He was elected uno

pposed in Sabatia constituency and went on to be re-elected in 1992, 1997, and 2007.

Soon after, he was appointed Minister of Supplies and Marketing until 1992 when he was elevated to Ministry of Finance between 1993 and 1997. He has also served as Minister for Agriculture, and Transport and Communication between 2001 and 2002 when he was appointed to the office of VP.

He served three months in the office of the Vice President, the shortest sting in Kenyan history.

He was appointed VP in October 2002 to replace the late George Saitoti, who Moi had sacked in a succession war after he chose Mr Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor. Mr Mudavadi was Mr Kenyatta's running mate in the 2002 general election. He ended up losing that bid as well as his Sabatia Parliamentary seat.

Mr Mudavadi made a come back in 2005 during the campaigns for the new Constitution. He joined the NO camp that was opposed to the draft that the Kibaki government had proposed. The camp emerged winners of the referendum. In the 2007 presidential election, Mr Mudavadi was Mr Odinga’s running mate, but again they lost to late former President Mwai Kibaki. 

He was a member of the national reconciliation team that negotiated for peace after the bloody events of the 2007/08 post-election violence and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local government in the Grand coalition government of 2008/13.

He defected from ODM to his United Democratic Forum (UDF) through which he contested the 2013 presidential race, coming third. 

He severed ties with UDF to form Amani National Congress (ANC) in 2015. ANC was part of the five political parties that merged in 2017 to form the National Super Alliance (Nasa) which fronted Mr Raila Odinga as its presidential candidate. Nasa lost to Jubilee in the election held on August 8, 2017 but the Supreme Court nullified the outcome due to irregularities.

In January 2022, he joined hands with DP William Ruto to form the Kenya Kwanza Alliance ahead of the 2022 general elections.


Latest articles on Musalia Mudavadi:

  1. PREMIUM Why Kindiki will be treading on eggshells

    Having witnessed first-hand what happened to his predecessor, the new DP will have leant to speak softly.

    Kithure Kindiki
  2. PREMIUM DP Kindiki: The new sheriff in town

    DP Kindiki will be more subtle than the impeached Gachagua in how he moves to cement his position in the Ruto administration.

    William Ruto and Kithure Kindiki
  3. How gazette notices flew around in night of unusual efficiency

    Not even absence of President Ruto could slow the evening and night activities.

    gazette notices kindiki swearing-in
  4. Kindiki to be sworn in as DP, Mudavadi named Acting Interior CS

    This comes hours after the High Court lifted an order blocking his ascension to DP.

    Musalia Mudavadi and Pof Kithure Kindiki
  5. State: Sh2bn needed to evacuate Kenyans stranded in Lebanon

    More than 24,000 Kenyans are stuck in Lebanon but only about 7,200 are willing to return home -- PS.

    Beirut Lebanon explosion
  6. PREMIUM Mudavadi, Waiguru, Kang'ata miss out on DP job

    Many politicians saw this as their moment to ascend to the second-highest office in the land.

    Nation inside - 2024-10-19T071110.187
  7. PREMIUM The battle to deputise Ruto shaping up to a 3-horse race

    Prof Kindiki’s bid has been strengthened by the recent opinion polls by Infotrak and Tifa.

    Kithure Kindiki
  8. PREMIUM Two-horse race? Why Kindiki, Mudavadi are favourites for deputy president

    Prof Kindiki’s candidacy appears to have been buttressed by the recent opinion polls by two leading pollsters – Infotrak and Tifa, which have put him ahead of the pack.

     Kithure Kindiki
  9. PREMIUM The shortlist of possible Gachagua successors

    Like in 2022, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is seen to be ahead of the pack.

  10. PREMIUM Wamalwa Kijana: Tom & Jerry, eloquence and wit

    With his mastery of the Queen's English, Wamalwa could both captivate and disarm.

    Kijana Wamalwa
  11. PREMIUM Musalia Mudavadi: The ‘phantom’ stop-gap VP

    He has mastered the art of political self-preservation, never hesitating to distance himself from controversy.

    Musalia Mudavadi.
  12. PREMIUM Media new darling of Deputy President after years of bearing the ‘nuisance’ tag

    After criticising the media on several occasions, he has made a turnaround, praising the press and as a 'wonderful' part of society.

    Gachagua impeachment
  13. PREMIUM Gachagua revisits pre-poll deals to defend his shareholding stance

    Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and Kingi initiated the 'shareholding' scheme in government, Gachagua says.

    Musalia Mudavadi and Dr William Ruto
  14. Appoint Mudavadi as DP, Luhya leaders tell Ruto

    They describe Mudavadi as “the safest, and least threatening'.

    William Ruto
  15. PREMIUM Why shoe is on other foot for President in war with embattled deputy

    Gachagua’s controversial statements and actions have led to concerns over his loyalty and effectiveness.

    Nation inside (49)
  16. Mudavadi: Raila AUC campaigns steady despite Harambee hiccup

    Prime Cabinet Secretary says the campaigns remain a State affair and are steady under the secretariat.

    Raila Odinga
  17. PREMIUM Fallout over harambee for Raila AUC campaigns

    A fundraising dinner planned for Wednesday was cancelled, raising questions on the government’s commitment to support the cause.

    William Ruto
  18. PREMIUM Five hurdles in Raila Africa Union top job quest

    Analysts stress that the African Union Commission election is unpredictable.

    Nation inside (89)
  19. PREMIUM Ruto repeats history in iconic 1996 Weekly Review cover on Moi courting Luoland

    Despite the past opposition, the region appears to be embracing Ruto’s government, viewing it as a chance for greater inclusion

    Nation inside (93)
  20. PREMIUM Why Raila’s AUC race will be his ultimate test

    The outcome of this high-stakes race will not only test his political acumen but also shape Africa’s future trajectory.

    Nation inside (89)