Ikoloman MP Dr. Boni Khalwale addressing faithfuls during the official innauguration ceremony of the African Divine Church East Afric Headquartes at Chekalini in Lugari district. [Photo|Josepha Amunya|West Fm]

Ikoloman MP Dr. Bonny Khalwale has dismissed media reports claiming that the electorate in Western Province is divided over Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s exit from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Addressing faithfuls who attended the official inauguration ceremony of African Divine Church (ADC) East Africa headquarters at Chekalini Divine Church in Lugari district, Khalwale dismissed a media report appearing in one of the leading local dailies, which suggested that the Luhya community will not produce the next president due to a fierce scramble for Western Province presidential votes between Mudavadi and Justice minister Mr. Eugene Wamalwa.

But in order to downplay media reports that have consistently depicted Luhyas at war against each other and build confidence among Kenyans outside the province, Khalwale appealed to all politicians from the province to align and solidify themselves under one political outfit through which they will seek elective positions in the next General Election.

Citing an example of Mudavadi and him, once bitter rivals, but who have buried the hatchet, the Ikolomani legislator called upon his colleagues to read the country’s mood well, claiming that a majority of Kenyans from the so called bigger tribes are of the idea that the next president should come from Western province.

Urging Wamalwa and Lugari legislator Mr. Cyrus Jirongo to shelve their presidential ambitions and throw their weight behind Mudavadi, Khalwale claimed that since the DPM declared his interest in the presidency the mood in Western province and across the country has quickly changed with a majority of voters leaning towards him.

“The general mood across the country is that it’s time that Western province produced the next president. It is on that basis that I am humbly requesting my two brothers, Jirongo and Wamalwa, to step down and support Mudavadi who has a national appeal. Let us not gamble this time round, my people,” pleaded Khalwale.

Drumming support for Mudavadi, Khalwale warned that western province risked squandering a God send opportunity of producing the country’s fourth president unless its politicians desist from dividing the electorate using politics of the clan.

Khalwale, who has already declared his candidature for Kakamega county Senatorship, asked voters in the region to keenly evaluate those seeking electoral posts in order to elect leaders of integrity and a passion for development who will be able to competitively steer the county ahead.

Present at the ceremony was former Provincial Commissioner Mr. Paul Olando who has declared his interest for Kakamega Governorship and several civic leaders from western province.