Former Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa and Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu have dismissed the recently forged Luhya unity as a waste of time.
They termed the masterminds of the alliance—former Speaker Kenneth Marende and Lugari ex-MP Cyrus Jirongo—hypocrites who ran away from former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi when he vied for president in the March 4 election.
''When we wanted one of our own to go to State House these same people supported former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. So they should stop cheating the community that they are looking for its unity,'' said Wamalwa.
He said those now calling for Luhya unity worked for Mudavadi's downfall in the last election.
The New Ford Kenya party leader said he wondered why the leaders decided to unite as soon as Moses Wetang'ula's election as Bungoma senator was nullified.
''Why should they come together in the name of Luhya unity for the sake of campaigning for Wetang'ula? Where have they been all this time?'' said Wamalwa.
On Saturday Luhya leaders led by Jirongo and Marende urged the community to unite and backed Wetangula's candidacy in the by-election.
Speaking yesterday when New Ford Kenya members endorsed former nominated MP Musikari Kombo as the flag-bearer in the by-election, Sambu asked Jirongo and Marende to support his party's candidate "if they are serious about Luhya unity".
''You can't tell us that you are looking for community's unity while in the other hand you are fighting other Luhya leaders,'' Wamalwa said.
He said Jirongo and Marende are dividing the community along party lines and asked residents to be wary of them.
Wamalwa said New Ford Kenya, UDF and Kanu will ensure Kombo captures the seat on December 9.
Kombo promised to work closely with Governor Ken Lusaka to fight crime.
He said Bungoma county has lagged behind in development because the former senator was not on good terms with the governor.