Mudavadi, Wetang'ula Luhya unity meeting finally takes off after police standoff

ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi's and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula's Luhya unity meeting finally took off on Saturday afternoon after a standoff in the morning.

Security agencies with Luanda and Emuhaya sub-counties had camped at the entrance to MP Omboko Millemba's home, where the meeting was to take place.

Among the leaders who accompanied them were Bungoma Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, Vihiga's Beatrice Adagala, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, Ernest Kagesi and the host MP Omboko.

Omboko is the MP for Emuhaya and an ANC party member.

Mudavadi and Wetang'ula are meeting opinion leaders in Western to discuss the elusive Luhya unity.

Mudavadi and Wetang'ula will be in Vihiga and Kakamega counties on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Mudavadi had earlier raised concerns about the presence of security at Omboko's home, saying he feared he might be the next target of intimidation.

Last weekend, the two were in Trans Nzoia and Busia, where they were endorsed by a section of elders to spearhead the Luhya unity.

As Mudavadi and Wetang'ula started their meetings last weekend, another faction of Luhya politicians, led by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, traversed the region to spearhead what they termed "unity and development agenda".

Lugari MP Ayub Savula who is expected to host Mudavadi and Wetang'ula in Kakamega on Sunday at a venue to be decided, said, "The only recognised Luhya leaders are Mudavadi and Wetang'ula. The others are brokers and self-seekers out to misuse the Luhya community.”

Mudavadi and Wetang'ula had said only a few people will attend the meetings that will last not more than one hour.

They said they would ensure social distancing as part of the measures to control the spread of the coronavirus.

While in Trans Nzoia last weekend, Mudavadi and Wetang'ula said they will do everything to ensure the Luhyas unite, despite schemes to wreck the two parties - Ford Kenya and ANC.

Mudavadi said those involved in the schemes would not succeed and would face the wrath of voters come 2022.

"We will not allow anyone to force us to do as they want. We will build our parties as democratic entities," the ANC leader said.

Mudavadi said they would not be hoodwinked to join Jubilee "which is in its sunset days".

He said time is ripe for the Western region to produce the next President.