Mudavadi tells Luhya MPs working with Jubilee to ‘return home’ ahead of 2017 polls

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi Saturday led Luhya politicians in warning MPs from the area working with the Jubilee coalition to “return home” or face the wrath of voters in the 2017 elections.

The Mudavadi-led group, which is rallying for a single presidential candidate from the community, said all leaders in the region should join one political party.

The leaders on the spot are Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, his Ikolomani counterpart Benard Shinali and Mr Emmanuel Wangwe of Navakholo.

In January, the group led a delegation to Deputy President William Ruto’s Sugoi home.

“The Sugoi visit last year by some leaders from western was in bad taste for the Luhya community,” said Lugari MP Ayubu Savula.

He added. “It is said that some Luhya leaders picked some five people and ferried them to Sugoi where they were each given Sh2,000. This is disrespectful.”

Mr Mudavadi advised all Luyhia politicians to join the Amani party.

“We are building our own brand and political party. We have sold it and it is now countrywide,” said Mr Mudavadi.

“Shinali and the others should return home now. They should go and tell Jubilee that they were only visitors and it is time to return home.”

He took issue with the politicians elected to Parliament through his former UDF party who were now supporting Jubilee.

DEVOLUTION

“We now have devolution that has devolved funds to counties. No leader should now tell us that he or she is in bed with the government so as to realise development for his area,” he said.

Mr Mudavadi was speaking during the burial of the mother of Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi.

Also present was Mr Shinali, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, Bonchari MP Zebedayo Opore, Charles Gimose (Hamisi) and the chairman of the western parliamentary caucus Mr John Bunyasi (Nambale).

Others were the secretary general to the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Mr Francis Atwoli, Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa, chairman of the National Police Service Commission Johnstone Kavuludi, former Vihiga MP Andrew Ligale and Kuppet national chairman Omboko Milemba.

Mr Atwoli said he would soon meet the senators and governors from the region before calling for a major rally to be held at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega County.

“If anyone comes to you and tell you something different from what I will have told you don’t listen to him or her. The Luhyias will have only one presidential candidate in the next elections,” said Mr Atwoli.

Mr Shinali, however, defended himself saying he was working with Jubilee for development in his Ikolomani backyard.

Others who spoke said the Luhya community had no place in Jubilee or Cord as the two coalition already had a fixed line-up that discriminated them.