Musikari Kombo being used to divide Luhyas, says Moses Wetang’ula

By Robert Wanyonyi

Bungoma, Kenya: Ford Kenya party leader and CORD co-principal Moses Wetang’ula has hit out at his New Ford-Kenya rival Musikari Kombo for being used to frustrate the push for Luhya unity.

Wetang’ula, who is looking to recapture his former seat declared vacant by the High Court in Bungoma after a successful election petition filed by Kombo, was campaigning in Kanduyi and Bumula constituencies.

Addressing his supporters, Wetang’ula accused the former Local Government minister and fellow leaders in the Amani Coalition, former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and former Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa, of dishonesty.

“I want them to come out clearly and tell the community who they are serving because all indications are that they are opposed to our drive to unite community members on anything,” said Wetang’ula.

The former Bungoma senator exuded confidence that he would emerge victorious during the December 19 by-election.

Wetang’ula received a major boost when former legislators Lawrence Sifuna and Maurice Makhanu, both of who contested the seat in the March 4 elections, announced that they would support his bid.

But speaking in Webuye, Kombo said contrary to propaganda being peddled by the Wetang’ula camp, he was running for the seat on an NFK ticket, which is a member of the Amani Coalition.

Caution my rival

“I want to caution my rival against insinuating that my candidature is sponsored by Jubilee because nothing is further from the truth,” said Kombo.

Journalist David Makali campaigned in Sirisia constituency while former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli was in Bungoma town.

Speaking in Sirisia, Makali urged Bungoma residents to elect him, saying he represented fresh leadership that was a break from the traditional backstabbing orchestrated by political rivals in the county.

He added that the rivalry between Wetang’ula and Kombo had ended up retarding development in the county.

Bifwoli warned his rivals against belittling his candidature, saying he has all it takes to win the seat.