United Democratic Party leader Cyrus Jirongo has said inconsistencies and intrinsic divisions among Luhya leader denied the community a chance to lead the country after former president Mwai Kibaki.
Jirongo said Luhyas should have taken the reigns of power in 2013 after Kibaki but disunity among leaders cost the community the chance which went to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
Jirongo said he was determined to push ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi to become the fifth president after Uhuru through One Kenya Alliance but he, together with Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang’ula abandoned him and joined Ruto in Kenya Kwanza.
Addressing a campaign at Shirakalu dispensary grounds in Lurambi constituency on Thursday, the former Lugari MP said he returned to active politics after realising Mudavadi and Wetang’ula were auctioning Luhyas.
“I decided to return to politics and start with the Kakamega governor to unite Luhyas as the beginning of the journey to power. If Luhyas vote for DP Ruto next month, they will be confirming that they don’t have leaders who are capable to be president,” he said.
“Luhya women have given birth to capable men who can lead this country. Luhyas are not vegetables or cows to be taken to the market for sale,” he said.
He said the community was suffering because of the inherent disunity among Luhya leaders who pursue personal goals at the expense of their people.
“I have tried to push my brothers to take over from where the vice president Kijana Wamalwa (deceased) left but they have always failed me.
That is why I have decided to return to active politics to rescue the community,” he said.
Jirongo is facing six other candidates in race to succeed Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
He said he will give priority to the youths if he wins the election.
The UDP leader said those who get elected as governors engage in collection of kickbacks from contractors instead of serving people.
“I am not interested in stealing county funds because I do business and have my money,” he said.
Jirongo said he will enrol all residents of Kakamega to the National Hospital Insurance Fund to access quality healthcare.
He said the death rate was higher in Western because of the hardships residents go through.
-Edited by SKanyara
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