Various leaders from the Western Kenya region on Thursday endorsed Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi to vie for the presidential post.
Reports from NTV indicate that the leaders urged Mudavadi to take advantage of his closeness with President Uhuru Kenyatta to seek endorsement from him too.
The leaders were speaking during the celebration of the Maragoli cultural festival in Vihiga County.
The Cabinet Secretary for Devolution Eugine Wamalwa who hails from the region advised the Luhya community to support the friendship between Mudavadi and President Uhuru.
"Uhuru is dribbling with the ball. The other day he saw Mudavadi and told him lets go to Garissa. And them you people began protesting. (Ako ana dribble, Uhuru ako na mpira kwa miguu yake. Juzi ameangalia Musalia kidogo akamwambia twende Garissa kidogo. Na nyinyi mnaanza kupiga kelele)," Wamalwa stated.
Musalia Mudavadi while speaking at the function said that in order for the Luhya community to get the presidency, it will have to seek friendship from other regions.
"Whether we like it or not. The only way to get to the presidency is to extend or friendship beyond the borders of western Province," Mudavadi noted.
The ANC leader was however conspicuously absent from a meeting of leaders from the Western region that was held at the home of COTU boss Franci Atwoli.