YESTERDAY'S Star newspaper headline: "Is Uhuru about to step down for Mudavadi," caused a stir in Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi's supporters in Western region.

In Mudavadi's hometown in Vihiga county, readers thronged vending points to have a glimpse of the headline. The UDF supporters who seemingly had lost hope on the presidential aspirations of Mudavadi seemed to regains hope when they read the Star's headline story.

The DPM on Monday formally joined forces with the Uhuru-Ruto alliance, where he will fight it out with Uhuru for the presidential nomination ticket.

Mbale Mayor Eliud Kihusa said they were optimistic Uhuru and Ruto would settle on Mudavadi as their compromise candidate.

"We believe the two leaders will finally endorse Mudavadi who is the best candidate to battle it out with Prime Minister Raila Odinga."