Luhya leaders’ disunity seems to be far from over as politicians from the region continue to differ on their political stand. This became evident during the funeral of slain businessman Jacob Juma in Bungoma county at the weekend.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said for the country to be liberated, the opposition needs to be united. He called on ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Cyrus Jirongo to Join Cord. “I want to tell my brothers that there is nothing like a middle-ground. You are either with Jubilee or Cord,” he said
Mudavadi said it is wrong to be branded “a Jubilee sympathiser”, yet he has been on the forefront in criticising the Jubilee administration. He said he was a victim of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto’s “lies” in the run-up to the March 4, 2013, general election and he cannot work with them again. “You can’t tell me that I work with Jubilee because of forming a different front. I was a victim of Jubilee lies in the run-up to the last elections,” Mudavadi said.
Jirongo cautioned Luhya leaders against joining a political outfit hurriedly, before ironing out issues that have made the community’s unity elusive. He said as a community, they will not be forced to join Cord blindly.
Jirongo said Luhya leaders should speak with one voice and not be sweet-talked with “small goodies” to join Cord and later be shortchanged. “I want to tell Khalwale to stop forcing us to join Cord,” he said.
The former Lugari legislator said leaders should respect the decision the community makes regarding their political future. He said it is wrong for some leaders to claim they speak for the region. Jirongo said the community needs selfless leaders, who understand what residents want.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said his NFK party is ready to work with like-minded parties.
Otsiula said
khalwale is ‘lying’ to residents
In January, Bumula MP Bonface Otsiula accused Khalwale and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula of lying to residents and undermining Western leaders. Otsiula said the two should not claim that joining Jubilee is betraying the Luhya nation, yet they support Cord leader Raila Odinga, who is not a Luhya. He said everyone has a right to choose their political affiliation. He said Wetang’ula and Khalwale are “backstabbing” leaders who want to change the lives of the Luhya people.