Biography
Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi is a Kenyan politician currently serving as the Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya. Before his appointment, he was the party leader of the Amani National Congress (ANC) until October 2022. Additionally, he is one of the founders of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
The Honorable politician served as the Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008-2012.
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Quick facts about Musalia Mudavadi
- Full name: Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi
- Date of birth: September 21, 1960
- Year of birth: 1960
- Place of birth: Sabatia
- Tribe: Maragoli ethnic community of the Luhya
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Martial status: Married to Tessie Mudavadi
- Children: Three
- Profession: Politician and Prime Cabinet Secretary
The Early life Musalia Mudavadi
Musalia was born on September 21, 1960 to Moses Substone Mudavadi and Hannah Mudavadi. His father was an influential politician from Sabatia, Kenya. Moses Substone was the first Patron of the Maragoli Cultural Festival until his death in 1989. Upon death, he was succeeded by his son Wycliffe as the Sabatia Constituency member of Parliament.
Musalia Mudavadi was raised in western Kenya, in the Maragoli ethnic community of the Luhya people. After his late father, he is the only politician who does not use a holy book when he swears the oaths of office. This is due to his faith.
Mudavadi attended Nairobi Primary school for his junior studies. He then proceeded to Jamhuri and Nairobi schools for his senior studies where he played rugby as a winger.
He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Lands Economics from the University of Nairobi.
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Musalia Mudavadi Political career and appointments
Hon. Musalia first became a Member of Parliament in 1989. It is during this time that he succeeded his father for the Sabatia Constituency seat where he was unopposed. He further went on to win in the 1992 and 1997 general elections for the seat.
Political appointments
Mudavadi served as Minister for:
- Supplies and Marketing from 1989 to 1993
- Finance (1993-1997)
- Agriculture (1997- 1999)
- Transport, Communication, and Information (2000-2002).
He also served as Vice President in 2002 during President Moi’s regime. Additionally, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Local Government of Kenya from 2008 to 2013.
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Political journey
In 2002, ran as Uhuru Kenyatta’s running mate for the presidency in the 2002 elections but was defeated by the Kibaki-Wamalwa team. He made his comeback by supporting Raila Odinga’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), aligning himself with the ‘No side’ on the proposed new constitution.
In 2005 the Orange Democratic Movement Kenya was formed after the referendum but split up. Mudavadi joined the Orange Democratic Movement rising to the ranks of deputy party leader and seeking the presidency but came second to Odinga. He declared his support for Odinga and became his running mate.
Although Kibaki won the elections, ODM disputed the results leading to the post elections violence that ended with a power-sharing agreement between Kibaki and Odinga. As a result, Musalia was named Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government on 13th April 2008.
Why Musalia left ODM
In 2013, Mudavadi left ODM after he was left out of the presidential nominations and took over the United Democratic Front Party (UDF) becoming its presidential flag bearer. Mudavadi briefly joined the UhuRuto duo but left the Jubilee coalition due to a breach of contract where Uhuru had agreed to step down from the candidacy on behalf of Mudavadi.
He made a solo run for the top seat of the country and came third in the race. In 2015, he abandoned UDF and later dissolved and formed Amani National Congress (ANC) which took him to the 2017 presidential elections where he formed National Super Alliance (NASA) with CORD trio Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Moses Wetangula. NASA settled for Odinga as their candidate but unfortunately lost to Uhuru.
In 2022, Mudavadi supported William Ruto for the August general elections against Raila who had the support of former president Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Mudavadi-Ruto duo formed the Kenya Kwanza Coalition winning the polls in a controversial decision. On September 27th, President William Ruto appointed Mudavadi to the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary. Mudavadi was officially sworn in at the State House on October 27th, 2022.
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Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi Wife, Children, Family and fun facts
Mudavadi is married to Tessie Mudavadi and is blessed with three children; Moses, Michael, and Maryanne.
He is a die-hard fan of the English Premier League football team Manchester United and Kenyan Premier League AFC Leopards.
The Honorable Prime Cabinet Secretary is a golf and rugby enthusiast.
Musalia published his autobiography in 2019 entitled “Musalia Mudavadi: Soaring Above the Storm of Passion”.
He attained his nickname Mdvd aka Earthquake among Kenyans.
Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi Net worth
During his vetting for the Prime Cabinet Secretary position, he declared his worth as 4 billion shillings (USD 40 million). His source of wealth accumulates from rental income, dividends and interests, and also inheritance.