The Kakamega County senator Bonny Khalwale has rubbished the ongoing claims that Luhya’s are joining the newly government formed Jubilee Alliance Party that intends to campaign for president Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto come 2017.
Speaking at Ematiha Primary school in Navakholo Sub County during the Butsotso cultural day, Seneta Khalwale told deputy president William Ruto on his face that the Luhya community has no intentions of joining him in the coming campaigns clearly stating that they will die with Raila Odinga.
“Don’t deal with junior politicians from this region with the belief that Luhya’s are behind you, we won’t join Jubilee Party.” Said Khalwale.
Khalwale said that as a community they are open for alliance building and called upon the deputy president to be keen on the people he deals with from the region.
“Seniority in politics depends on how long one has been in it, giving goodies to junior politicians to enjoy as residents struggle will not win you any soul.” Khalwale said.
He said that he won’t mind convincing his fellow Luhya leaders to join hand and move ahead together explaining that working hand in hand will make them stronger than standing alone.
In response, the deputy president who was the chief guest at the event called upon politicians to shun tribal politics.
“Any serious politician in Kenya today should be today tired of singing tribalism in politics and should instead be focused on developing the country.” Ruto said.
Ruto called upon the residents to unite and join the jubilee party, assuring that they are taking over the government in 2017.
He gave Kshs. 1 million to the Butsotso community to buy two acres of land for the construction of a cultural center to keep their monuments and host such like events in future.
The national Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa who had accompanied the DP called upon the residents to join the Jubilee party for their own benefits arguing that Luhya’s stand no chance to take the top most seat given that the vote counts still stand where it was in 2013 and only the number of presidential candidature in the region has gone up.
He said that he is not a politician as per now but will not allow his people to fall in a pit as he observes adding that he will always be there to correct Luhyas whenever they stray.
He assured the area residents that plans are underway to ensure that they get clean water for consumption and domestic use.
Other leaders present at the event included Benard Shinali the Ikolomani MP, Ben Washiali Mumias East, Raphael Otaalo Lurambi, Dan Wanyama Webuye West, Mustaafa Iddi Kilifi South and Emmanuel Wangwe from Navakholo.
