Western leaders in new political unity drive

By Robert Wanyonyi

Three Cabinet ministers and four MPs from Western Province launched a fresh drive to unite the Luhya community ahead of elections.

Trade Minister Moses Wetang’ula, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa and Forestry Minister Dr Noah Wekesa vowed to endorse a single presidential candidate from the region and said efforts to unite the community are unstoppable because other regions are doing the same.

The leaders who spoke at the burial of Bukusu spiritual leader, John Manguliechi in Kimilili in Bungoma County, also resolved to enjoin other leaders from other parts of the country in a national unity initiative to avoid violence like after 2007 polls.

Wetang’ula castigated Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi for playing lone-ranger style of politics and warned the Sabatia MP that he risked being sidelined.

team work

“Let my brother Mudavadi not try to talk to me alone or Wamalwa or Jirongo individually because that will be wasting precious time. We want to talk and walk as a family, as a community and as a team,” said Wetang’ula.

He warned that Mudavadi who is gunning for the presidency on a United Democratic Front ticket and his allies from the region face political oblivion if they fail to join the bandwagon.

Wekesa announced that he’s leading the unity initiative together with fellow minister Fred Gumo and Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli.

“I want to particularly thank my colleague Fred Gumo because even if he’s across the other political divide (ODM), he has been fully involved in our community’s unity initiative,” revealed Wekesa.

Wakoli announced he has been holding meetings with Wetang’ula and Wamalwa that saw the two ministers bury the hatchet during the burial of the spiritual leader.

“I want to warn those presidential candidates from other regions who thought they could cling on either me, Wetang’ula, Wamalwa or Jirongo in order to get the votes of the Luhya people to forget it because we have resolved to support one of us and go all the way to the ballot,” said the Lands Assistant Minister.