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About Me

Personal Life

Overview

Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi (born 21 September 1960) is a Kenyan politician and land economist who is currently serving as the Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya. Until October 2022, he was also the party leader of the Amani National Congress (ANC), one of the founding political parties, of the Kenya Kwanza alliance. He served as the 7th Vice-President of Kenya in 2002 and Deputy Prime Minister (2008–2012), when he resigned to contest for the Presidency in the 2013 Kenyan general election and emerged third. He was the deputy party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) (2005–2012) and Party Leader of the United Democratic Forum Party (UDF) from May 2012 to July 2015.

Mudavadi, was raised in a Quaker Christian denomination family. He is of the ethnic Maragoli dialect, an extract of the populous Luhya community of western Kenya. After his late father Moses S. B. Mudavadi, he is the only other Kenyan politician who does not swear oaths of office because his faith forbids it. Mudavadi schooled at Nairobi Primary School, then Jamhuri and Nairobi School for his A- levels and the University of Nairobi. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts(Land Economics) degree. For sports, he played rugby as a winger for his high school and university's Mean Machine RFC.

Mudavadi, first became a Member of Parliament in 1989 and the youngest serving Minister in Kenyan History when he was elected unopposed in a by-election to take the Sabatia Constituency seat vacated by his deceased father Moses Mudamba Mudavadi. He went on to win the seat in 1992 and 1997 general elections.

Mudavadi has served as Minister for Supplies and Marketing (1989 - 1993), Finance (1993 - 1997), Agriculture (1997 - 1999), Transport, Communications and Information (2000 - 2002). In addition, he has served as Vice-President (2002) and also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government of the Republic of Kenya (2008 - 2013).

Mudavadi is married to Tessie Mudavadi and they have three children; Moses, Michael and Maryanne. Mudavadi is a fan of English premier league football team Manchester United and Kenyan premier league side AFC leopards. He once served as a patron of AFC leopards. In addition, he is also a golf and rugby enthusiast. He has an autobiography published in 2019 entitled "Musalia Mudavadi: Soaring Above The Storms of Passion". His nickname in the Kenyan political arena is Mdvd aka Earthquake. In addition, Mudavadi is an ardent fan of old school country music with Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton being his favourite musicians.

View My Political Career

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS


1989 - 2002 & 2007 -2012

MP Sabatia



  • As MP of Sabatia Hon Musalia Mudavadi established Sabatia Community Development Fund (SACODEF), a KES 27 million capitalized revolving micro-enterprise credit scheme (1996) for youth groups, women groups and educational scholarships; a Micro Credit Scheme precursor to CDF.

  • As MP of Sabatia Hon Musalia Mudavadi established the Sabatia Eye Hospital. It is still one of the best eye hospitals in the country. The hospital has also become a learning institution for students of ophthalmology.

  • As MP of Sabatia Hon Musalia Mudavadi established health centers in each of the eight administrative locations in Sabatia constituency.

  • During Hon Musalia Mudavadi’s tenure as MP of Sabatia, completion rates in Primary and Secondary schools increased significantly.

  • As MP of Sabatia Hon Musalia Mudavadi Initiated poverty alleviation programs leading to life expectancy of 57 compared to the national average of 48.

  • As MP of Sabatia Hon Musalia Mudavadi oversaw the completion of the Vihiga District Headquarters.

  • As outgoing MP of Sabatia Hon Musalia Mudavadi turned down a KANU nomination to Parliament after the 2002 General Elections, a deed that made history in Kenya politics where a leader turns down a nomination on the principle of democracy. “I have respected the will and the decision that the people of Sabatia Constituency have made …. and also as a strong believer in the democratic principles that we as leaders have always advocated for, I cannot go against their wishes by taking up the nomination”

MAY 1989 – 1992

MINISTER FOR SUPPLIES & MARKETING

As Minister for Supplies & Marketing Hon Musalia Mudavadi abolished movement permits for grain & oversaw the expansion of grain storage facilities in order to ensure food security.

JANUARY 1993 - DECEMBER 1997

MINISTER OF FINANCE



  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi stopped the notorious Goldenberg looting at the Central Bank which had brought us close to economic ruin. This can be found in the (Bosire Commission Report 2005)

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi oversaw sweeping programs of privatization. Spearheaded restoration of bilateral and multilateral aid too.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi reversed negative growth of the economy and put the country back on recovery in 4 years.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi launched what became the most comprehensive deregulation of an African economy ever seen. This meant; Import licenses were scrapped; The shilling was floated, and Price controls were abolished.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi reduced inflation to a single digit from a high of 50%.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi intitiated tax reforms by establishing the Kenya Revenue Authority. This led to Increased tax revenue.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi was responsible for the establishment of the autonomy of the Central Bank of Kenya via the CBK (Amendment) Act of 1996 which was a milestone in improving the legal foundation for managing monetary policy.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi was responsible for the establishment of the Retirement Benefits Authority.

  • As Minister of Finance Hon Musalia Mudavadi was Chairman of the Board of Governors - African Development Bank (ADB) Group and a Member of the Board of Governors of the World Bank.

JAN 1998-SEPT 1999

MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE



  • As Minister for Agriculture Hon Musalia Mudavadi streamlined and strengthened the Management of the Agricultural Sector towards flourishing in a liberalized economy through major reforms in sugar, tea, maize and coffee sectors.

  • As Minister for Agriculture Hon Musalia Mudavadi was responsible for the enactment of Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) Act that created local farmer ownership of Tea Factories.

  • During his tenure as Minister for Agriculture Hon Musalia Mudavadi efficiently regulated imports, KESREF was created to enhance research, oversaw privatization of mumias & strong outgrower organization.

SEPT 1999 - DEC 2002

MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, TRANSPORT AND COMUNICATION



  • As Minister For Information, Transport & Communication Hon Musalia Mudavadi appointed the first ever professional Board of Directors for Kenya Broadcasting Cooperation(KBC)

  • As Minister For Information, Transport & Communication Hon Musalia Mudavadi was behind the Liberalizations of the communications sector. FREEING THE AIRWAVES - more radio stations were licensed to enhance freedom of speech and information. LICENCING MOBILE COMPANIES - Safaricom, Celtel (Airtel) were licensed. Mobile communications became a reality.

  • As Minister For Information, Transport & Communication Hon Musalia Mudavadi was responsible for the establishment of the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK).

  • As Minister For Information, Transport & Communication Hon Musalia Mudavadi oversaw the expansion and modernization of the national Civil Aviation navigation facilities.

  • As Minister For Information, Transport & Communication Hon Musalia Mudavadi started the process of privatization of Kenya Railways (KR).

2002 - 2002

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

During Campaigns as Vice President

May 2008 TO MAY 2012

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT



  • As Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi implemented good governance and improved effective service delivery reforms resulting in accountable local government management through community participation in planning processes through the Local Government Reform Program (KLGRP).

  • As Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi oversaw Roads, Drainage and Street Lighting; and Development. Seven roads worth 1.442 billion constructed in towns; ten modern Bus parks worth 457 million constructed. Another six roads and bus parks under construction at 1.948 billion.

  • As Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi was responsible for Markets Development and Management. During his tenure 13 ultra modern markets worth 702 million constructed. Three under construction at KES 182 million and four more to be constructed at KES 352 million.

  • During his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi provided ambulances to 4 municipalities and seven towns were scheduled to receive fire fighting equipment.

  • As Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi introduced the Single Business Permit in Local Authorities.

  • As Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi oversaw the Implementation of efficient utilisation of Local Authority Transfer Fund (LATF)

  • As Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi formulated a National Urban Development Policy.

  • Hon Musalia Mudavadi was the Chairman and Chief ODM Negotiator in the 2008 Post-Election National Accord under former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Former President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa, and South Africa First Lady Graça Machel. He played an instrumental role in restoring peace and unity in one of the countries darkest and toughest moments in our history.

  • During his time as Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government Hon Musalia Mudavadi led the implementation of Devolution under new Constitution. Hon Mudavadi took the personal initiative to establish structures, laws and processes that define our county governments now.

SEPTEMBER 2022-PRESENT

PRIME CABINET SECRETARY

H.E Musalia Mudavadi was appointed and sworn in as the first and current Prime Cabinet Secretary in Kenyan history on Thursday 27th October 2022. The roles of the Prime Cabinet Secretary are defined below:

  • Assist the President and the Deputy President in the co-ordination and supervision of Government Ministries and State Departments;

  • In liaison with the Ministry responsible for Interior and National Administration, oversee the implementation of National Government policies, programs and projects;

  • Chair and co-ordinate National Government legislative agenda across all ministries and state departments in consultation with and for transmission to the Party/Coalition Leaders in Parliament;

  • Chair the Principal Secretaries Committees and supervise the technical monitoring and evaluation of Government policies, programs and projects;

  • Perform any other function as may be assigned by the President.

9th December 2022

AWARDED THE DOCTOR OF HONORIS CAUSA

On Friday 9th December 2022 H.E Musalia Mudavadi was awarded The Doctor of Honoris Causa, an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in Peace and Sustainable Development from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.