Likuyani Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Enoch Kibunguchy has criticized the endorsement of Amani National Congress (ANC) leader, Mr. Musalia Mudavadi as official spokesperson of the populous Luhya community.
Kibunguchy, who was speaking in his constituency, said the decision by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Mr. Francis Atwoli to pick Mudavadi as the Luhya kingpin was likely to further polarize western region.
According to the legislator, socially acceptable leaders are not imposed on people but they emerge, the world over.
“The same has happened to the Luhya community in the past where great leaders, including the late Moses Mudavadi, Masinde Muliro and Michael Kijana Wamalwa simply emerged without being endorsed by anyone,” observed Kibunguchy.
Kibunguchy tore into scientific criteria, in which students at the University of Nairobi (UoN) conducted a sample research among slightly above 2000 respondents, which gave Mudavadi an edge over other competitors.
While unveiling Mudavadi as the most preferred spokesperson at Bukhungu stadium on Saturday, Atwoli revealed the research findings in which Mudavadi emerged top with 39% and was closely followed by Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula who tied at 30%.
“A socially acceptable leader is one whom the community constantly consults, especially on weighty issues of national concern,” noted Kibunguchy who cited President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka as leaders who have ably
emerged from their various communities.
Kibunguchy said it would have been better for Atwoli to use the forum to encourage luhya unity instead of creating room that will divide the community further.
“We have our sons Cyrus Jirongo, Moses Wetangula and Musalia Mudavadi who have all declared their interest in vying for the presidency and as a good father who cares for all your children when you favor one at the expense of other you’ll be creating a room for hatred among them. I think it would have been better for Atwoli to bring together leaders
from the the region and use the platform to preach Luhya unity, encourage our people to take Identification cards and register as voters and ensure they cast their votes in one basket rather than endorsing and individual chosen by two or three individual who don’t
represent the Luhya community,” said Kibunguchy.
Political analysts say Mudavadi’s endorsement was likely to give him added advantage over United Democratic Party’s Cyrus Jirongo and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula.