• Leaders from the two rival camps converged at Ishikhulu Primary School in Shinyalu where calls for Luhya unity rent the air.
• The leaders who were led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi advocated for Western unity.
Image: COURTESY
Leaders drawn from the rival Kenya Kwanza and Azimio camps set aside their political differences in a rare show of unity when they gathered interdenominational church service in Kakamega on Sunday.
Leaders from the two rival camps converged at Ishikhulu Primary School in Shinyalu where calls for Luhya unity rent the air.
The leaders who were led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi advocated for Western unity.
The unity drive came amid calls for patience as the government fights to alleviate the high cost of living.
They emphasised the importance of unity in shaping the region's future.
Wetang’ula stated that the region's unity was not an option, saying it must count.
He called out the leaders whom he said are "sowing seeds of discord" between him and Mudavadi.
"Musalia and I are working together and we will not allow and negative voices to divide us," he said.
"Our collective vision has enabled us to so far reshape the political landscape, forging a new trajectory together," he added.
Drawing from the words of Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, Speaker Wetang’ula reminded the audience that "A wise man standing on the ground will see further than an idiot on top of a tree."
"It is evident that Hon Mudavadi's vulnerabilities harmoniously complement my strengths, and vice versa, reinforcing the notion that unity within the Luhya community is an indispensable catalyst for transformative change within the realm of politics in the region and beyond," Wetang'ula said.
Mudavadi dismissed those speaking of a rift between him and the Speaker saying they serve in two diverse arms of the government with no chance of conflict between them.
"He is the leader of the Legislature. I am in the Executive," he said.
"Two arms of government, why are you inciting people every day that Wetang'ula and Musalia. I can't go and be the Speaker. Wachana vitina wewe (stop the gossip) stop it."
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who also attended the event, urged the Luhya community to speak in unison.
He hailed Wetang’ula and Mudavadi for teaming up in support of President William Ruto in the run up to the August 2022 General Election.
"When the Luhya community speaks as one, there will be a shift in the political sphere,” Ichung'wah said and noted that this could herald a significant shift in the political space.
Addressing the pressing issue of the high cost of living, leaders at the event called for patience as the government fights to offer long lasting solutions.
They noted that subsidised fertilisers and favourable weather conditions hold the key to reduced cost of food "in the near future".
"Exercising patience will undoubtedly yield a bountiful harvest, and augmenting the resources allocated to the Cereals Board of Kenya is an essential step toward supporting our farmers," Wetang'ula said.
Other leaders present during the funds drive included Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, MPs Sylvanus Osoro, Aaron Cheruyiot, governors Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma), Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega)
Others were MPs John Waluke, Tim Wanyonyi, Mary Emaase, Nelson Koech, Stephen Mogaka, Catherine Wambilianga, Kakai Bissau, Muthoni, Innocent Mugabe, Emmanuel Wangwe, Jack Wamboka, Caroli Omondi, Fred Khapondi, David Ochieng, Didmus Barasa, Khamala andvarious MCAs.