By Micah Sali.
Speaker of the National assembly Dr Moses Wetang”ula has poured cold water on politicians in Western Kenya claiming that a new crop of leadership is emerging to steer the community to political paradise.
While addressing mourners at the funeral service of the late Mzee Yohana Namuli Saenyi on Wednesday May 15 2024 at Wabukhonyi Village, Kabuchai Constituency in Bungoma County,the Ford Kenya party leader dismissed the notion that leaders emerge arguing that elective positions are won by casting the ballot in the ballot box.
In a veiled attack towards the former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati who has been claiming at public rallies that a new crop of leaders will emerge and replace the old political guard in Western Kenya,Wetang’ula claimed that political leadership is won by casting votes in the ballot box by wananchi and not through contrary processes.
The former Bungoma governor has been claiming that veteran politicians in Western Kenya are the major cause of political disintegration adding that a new crop of leadership will emerge to bring solutions to the politically fragmented region.
Wangamati,an ally of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been claiming that the current Luhyia leaders are impotent to cause meaningful change that can reduce poverty and unemployment in western Kenya.
Wangamati has been urging the Luhyia community to anticipate a leader who will emerge and deliver the community agenda just like other national leaders who ’emerged’ from their communities..
“Wamalwa Kijana emerged, Raila Odinga emerged as a leader among the Luos,William Ruto(President) emerged as a kingpin among the Kalenjins,Kalonzo emerged from the Kamba community while Uhuru Kenyatta emerged from the Kikuyu community.A leader will emerge from the Luhyia community as a kingpin in the near future and solve our problems,” said Wangamati at different rallies in western Kenya.
Wetang’ula called on the electorate in Western Kenya to avoid divisive politics and concentrate on initiating development projects .
“I am this time carrying the mantle of the community and will not waste time on empty rhetoric against naysayers. Bungoma conceived and delivered me as their baby,western Kenya has nurtured me to this level,the whole country is now observing us(Luhyias) as you take me just like a bull taken for a fight ,you now have a choice to either deliver me in good health and win or with broken limbs and loss the fight,” Wetang’ula said figuratively.
The speaker has been facing opposition from Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya who has formed the ‘Tawe’ movement that advocates for change in political guard in Western Kenya.
Natembeya claims that Wetang’ula and Mudavadi have failed to negotiate for allocation of resources and job opportunities for the community at the national table.
Wetang’ula has been working closely with the Western Kenya elected leaders under the Western leaders caucus .
The caucus under the stewardship of Sirisia MP John Waluke has an agenda of ensuring that the region goes into the next election united behind Wetang’ula and the Prime cabinet secretary and CS for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.
Wetang’ula was accompanied at the funeral service by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Makelo Lusaka,Bungoma Deputy Governor Bishop Jennifer Mbatian, Taveta MP Hon. John Bwire, Kabuchai MP Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga, Kimilili MP Hon. Barasa didmas, , Bungoma Women MP Hon. Catherine Wambilianga and Bungoma County MCAs, among other leaders.
