No end to bickering over Luhya unity

What you need to know:

  • Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said the region’s political unity had failed because some politicians were pursuing selfish ends through political brokerage.
  • The party might create a third political force in the region, besides Cord and Amani. Among members will be former MPs Alfred Khang’ati and Soita Shitanda.
  • “Leaders who are unattractive should sit at home and leave I and Senator Moses Wetang’ula to chart this region’s political journey,” he said.

Wrangles among politicians from the former Western Province continue over their failure to forge a common political front.

The leaders differed publicly during the homecoming party for Sikhendu Ward representative Andrew Kutitila in Trans Nzoia on Sunday.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said the region’s political unity had failed because some politicians were pursuing selfish ends through political brokerage.

“Leaders who are unattractive should sit at home and leave I and Senator Moses Wetang’ula to chart this region’s political journey,” he said.

The senator also blamed the rivalry between Ford-Kenya and New Ford-Kenya parties for the region’s failure to identify with one political outfit.

However, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo accused him and Mr Wetang’ula of misleading the Luhya community by being in Cord.

“We are tired as a community of playing allegiance to ODM leader Raila Odinga. Those still in Cord don’t have the interests of the community at heart,” Mr Jirongo said.

He invited political leaders from the region to join a party that he said would be launched soon.

OWN POLITICAL HOUSE
“We will also only make it if our brothers in the Amani Coalition cease to be political brokers for the Jubilee coalition. We need our own political house,” he added.
Former National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende will be the chairman of the new party, according to Mr Jirongo.

The party might create a third political force in the region, besides Cord and Amani. Among members will be former MPs Alfred Khang’ati and Soita Shitanda.

Saboti MP David Wafula (New Ford-Kenya) said Luhya unity would remain a dream if leaders did not respect their colleagues.

“This unity cannot be achieved if some leaders continue to belittle others by declaring themselves spokesmen and branding others traitors,” he said.

Trans Nzoia Woman Representative Janet Nangabo echoed the same view. “We should not treat some of our politicians as lesser beings,” Ms Nangabo said.