Nairobi-based Luhya leaders have reached out to leaders from the wider Luhya and former Western Province community to support Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi or contend with political oblivion.
The leaders said that those still opposing Mudavadi's appointment as the Luhya spokesperson are bound to become political outcasts if they don’t change.
Speaking on Saturday, Nairobi County liquor licensing chairperson Vincent Shimoli said that only ‘bad leaders’ like Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale and his Bungoma counterpart Moses Wetangula are still adamant to support Mudavadi.
"We urge Mudavadi to roll out a major outreach campaign to bring on board all political and opinion leaders of our community. We have faith in Mudavadi's diplomatic and networking skills accumulated over many years of working in government and in the private sector," Shimoli said.
In his part, Harambee MCA Johnson Mukabwa said that the community would never again work with the Jubilee government after quarters within Jubilee referred to the community as demons.
"In the 2013 elections, we were labelled demons by some Jubilee leaders. It is the greatest disrespect to a Luhya to label him a demon. We have to all come together to support Mudavadi," said Mukwabwa.
Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok added that the ANC leader is a leader of all people from Western Kenya and not only the Luhya community.
"We the Tesos and others living in Western Kenya are supporting him. He is our leader," Imwatok added.
Mudavadi was on December 31 installed the Luhya community spokesperson in a rally convened by Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli.