Western Kenya leaders have reacted to calls to form a unified front in the Luhya bloc. The Luhya nation has been seen as a divided house for years, and after Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula’s ouster as Senate Minority Leader, Ford Kenya and ANC led the way calling for the Western Kenya people to unite and work together to realize their political and development goals. During the weekend, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and Sports CS Rashid Echesa stressed the importance of being united past a tribal party.
Speaking during a Christian fellowship with faithful from Mumias and Eldoret ACK Dioceses at Shitoto ACK Girls High School Mumias East in Kakamega County, Wamalwa said the Luhya nation should come together, and lauded the efforts being made by Ford Kenya and ANC, insisting that unity should be across borders, “We thank our brothers Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula because they’ve said we should join hands,” he said. He added that the leaders should look beyond Ford Kenya and ANC if they are targeting unity.
On his part, Sports CS Rashid Echesa said the Luhya community can’t front a candidate without the support from other communities, “Even if as Luhyas we vote together, we can’t elect a president, we must have friends and companions. We must tag along our brothers form Rift Valley, Central and even Mombasa,” said Echesa.
Wetangula’s ouster has acted as an illuminator to Western Kenya residents, especially leaders, who have grown accustomed to the political manipulation the community has been subjected to throughout the years. With the NASA Senators meeting fast approaching, where issues affecting the Minority Leadership position to be discussed, it remains to be seen what outcome will arise, given that Senator Wetangula declared he won’t attend. National Assembly Chief Whip Benjamin Washiali said it was regrettable that Wetangula was ousted as a Minority Leader by leaders who are still young in politics.
