President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's visit to Western region slated for 18th January this year has sparked new divisions among the political leaders from the region.
Although ANC Deputy party leader Ayub Savula has confirmed the attendance of the head of state in the rally which is expected to take place in Bhukungu stadium, more leaders from the region have distanced themselves from the planned event.
"I don’t want to comment about the upcoming Bukhungu meeting which we are aware the head of state will attend,” Savula said as quoted by the Standard.
ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi on his part has claimed that he does not even know the organizers of the event.
"I am not involved at all in the meeting. I don’t know who is planning it, so I would not comment further,” Mudavadi said.
FORD-Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, Ikolomani lawmaker Bernard Shinali, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and Majority Whip in the National Assembly Benjamin Washiali have also dismissed the rally which is being spearheaded by COTU boss Francis Atwoli and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
Washiali, elected on a Jubilee ticket, has warned the organizers of the meeting to prepare for a shock claiming that no serious meeting can take place without him, Wetangula and Mudavadi.
“A meeting without Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and myself cannot be called a Luhya event, the organisers will be shocked when we eventually release a statement,” said the MP who is a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto.
Khalwale further branded Atwoli a known agent for Raila and ODM party and rubbished his activities in the Western region.