Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader, Musalia Mudavadi, on Tuesday, February 1, hit back at the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli, in a scathing attack.

This follows claims by Atwoli that Mudavadi had already been abandoned by Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) within weeks of forging political ties.

In a statement issued by ANC, the party told Atwoli and his supporters to wake up to the reality that the Luhya community was no longer wrapped up around his fingers.

“The inconsequential Atwoli and a bevy of his inane cheerleaders must wake up to the reality of our times that the Luhya nation will never be hoodwinked again to “steal political beeps” at the lake! Never!” Read the statement in part.

ANC asked the COTU Boss to desist from insulting Mudavadi, noting that the jibes he threw at Mudavadi would not undermine the latter’s quest for presidency.

The party noted that the Luhya community will not be coaxed to support the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga.

“No amount of incessant insults and pedestrian-sycophantic public display by the Atwoli and ilk mercenaries for hire will deter Musalia Mudavadi’s resolve to liberate the Mulembe nation from the political entanglement of a state project,” ANC wrote.

While addressing the media at Golf Hotel Kakamega, Atwoli termed Mudavadi as a political beggar.

“Just after Musalia declared that they (Kenya Kwanza) are yet to decide among themselves (who will be the presidential candidate), Muthama said that they (Mudavadi and Wetangula) only joined UDA as friends.

“He (Muthama) declared that there was no agreement. The Chairman of UDA has already thrown him out. Those are the shortcomings of begging. Where will they go now?” Atwoli chided.

Former Rift Valley Commissioner, George Natembeya, was also not spared in Mudavadi’s rant. The Trans-Nzoia gubernatorial aspirant was asked not to get ahead of himself and that his political career would be quelled in its infancy by the former Vice President’s earthquake.