Wamalwa leads Luhya politicians in calling for Wetang'ula defection
Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa. Mr Wamalwa hosted several Luhya leaders including Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka at his home in Kitale on July 23, 2016 where they called for Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang'ula to defect to Jubilee. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GRoup
What you need to know:
- Bungoma Governor Lusaka said it is good that Mr Wetang’ula has finally realised that a Raila Presidency is an impossibility and challenged him defect before it is too late.
- Saboti MP David Wafula said the appeal by Mr Odinga on the western Kenya electorate to embrace a six-piece voting system spells doom for Wetang'ula's political ambitions.
Western Kenya leaders have called on Bungoma Senator and Cord principal Moses Wetang’ula to defect to Jubilee coalition.
Speaking at Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa’s home in Kitale on Saturday, the leaders said Mr Wetang’ula’s recent admission during an interview on KTN on Thursday that Cord leader Raila Odinga can’t win the Presidency was a sign he should jump ship.
“It is obvious that Raila has more political muscles than Wetang’ula and Kalonzo. What our friend has done is a clear admission that none of them can beat the President in the next general elections,” said Mr Wamalwa at his Milimani home in Kitale.
Further, the Cabinet Secretary urged Amani National Coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi and members of Parliament Ababu Namwamba (Budalang’i) and Paul Otuoma (Funyula) to also join Jubilee band wagon.
“Western Kenya is now a jubilee zone and those who are still gambling should make up their mind and join us since we are certain that we are in a winning team,” he said after hosting the leaders.
Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka said it is good that Mr Wetang’ula has finally realised that a Raila Presidency is an impossibility and challenged him to defect before it is too late.
“We knew that house is not welcome to divergent political opinion. That is why we saw it wise to work with Jubilee. We invite our brother to come in time to help us chart this region’s political future,” said Mr Lusaka.
Saboti MP David Wafula said the appeal by Mr Odinga on the western Kenya electorate to embrace a six-piece voting system spells doom for Wetang'ula's political ambitions.
“What Mr Odinga is simply saying is that the Ford Kenya party should not have a seat in the region in addition to betraying the spirit of respect to his Cord co-principals,” said Mr Wafula.
Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali said the disruption of Raila’s rally on Friday at Shibale was just a tip of the iceberg of the rebellion he is going to face in the region as he tries to sell his political agenda.
“He will never have a peaceful meeting in Mumias until he pays a Sh300 million debt that he owes the Mumias Sugar Company. What he went through was a just a test of his own medicine,” said the MP.
Similar sentiments were shared by Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe who said the Orange party will no longer sweep the region as has been the norm in the past two general elections.
The leaders who are on a mission to sell the Jubilee party also dismissed claims that they have been “bought” by the Presidency to disrupt the impact of the opposition in the region by dividing votes.
(Editing by Joel Muinde)
