Western Kenyan leaders have been challenged to unite ahead of 2017 elections to have a better bargaining power in the formation of the new government.
Led by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa during the burial of controversial businessman Jacob Juma, they challenged top leadership from the region to call for a unity meeting for the sake of the region.
“It’s really disappointing that as western leaders we cannot unite. This is because of seniors politicians, Moses Wetangula, Musalia Mudavadi and Cyrus Jirongo cannot sit down and decide the destiny of our people,” Wamalwa said.
“Time has come for us to vote as a block because if we do so, we can decide the winner of the presidential elections. Our leaders must guide from the front by calling for unity meetings for the sake of our political destiny,” added the National assembly minority chief whip.
Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi warned the top leadership from the region by challenging residents to denounce them if they fight for political space on their own.
“We cannot allow instances where top leadership speaks from a different script. Coming together to discuss the future of our people isn’t a bad thing," said Wamunyinyi.
"Let us put aside our political differences and work together as a team. This is the time and if you cannot do that, then these people will denounce you,” he said.
Similar calls were echoed by Busia Women representative Florence Mutua who said the region had numbers which could decide a winner in elections.
“The Luhya nation is big but we haven’t made use of our numbers. Time has come for us to join hands and seek the best way forward. We have the numbers to do that,” she said.
Mudavadi, Wetangula and Jirongo who spoke during the occasion and said they were ready for round table talks.