Wetangula ‘not western kingpin’

Ford-Kenya party has dismissed reports that its leader Moses Wetangula was crowned the Luhya political supremo last weekend.

A local daily at the weekend claimed that Luhya elders crowned Mr Wetangula as the political kingpin, sparking bitter reactions from Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.

The report indicated that the Bungoma senator was enthroned at Kanduyi stadium during a Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord) thanksgiving ceremony.

Ford-Kenya secretary-general Eseli Simiyu on Wednesday said the allegations were “malicious propaganda”, adding that the function was purely to thank Bungoma people for voting for Mr Wetangula in the December 19 mini poll.

He said elders had taken offence with the report, which he said was a threat to their bid to forge unity ahead of 2017 polls.

“The elders never held any crowning ceremony. No rites were performed at the venue apart from prayers and celebrations to mark the Cord victory,” he said.

He blamed the report on Amani coalition, saying it was a tactic by the Musalia Mudavadi-led alliance to derail the unity drive.

“Luhya political leaders are determined to unite for the good of our people. No amount of propaganda will divide us,” he said.

Ford-Kenya party, he said, treats all Luhya leaders with respect and there is no junior or senior partner in the unity bid.

“Our unity is in the interest of our people. We are not out to look for a supremo,” he said.

Mr Wetangula was re-elected after his win was nullified by the High Court following a successful petition by former Webuye MP Musikari Kombo.

“The Cord leaders were only thanking their supporters after a rigorous campaign since March that saw us win various seats against numerous challenges,” said Dr Eseli.

The function attended by Cord principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka brought together all leaders elected on the coalition’s ticket.

These are Dr Eseli, Kabuchai MP James Lusweti, Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, Sirisia MP John Waluke and Kimilili MP Suleiman Murunga.

Bungoma was at the centre of a fierce battle between Ford-Kenya and New Ford Kenya during the March 4 polls.

New Ford-Kenya won two parliamentary seats alongside women representative and the governor slots.