By Peter Ochieng
National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula has urged leaders in Western to unite and live together as brothers, ‘or remain divided and perish together as fools.’
Wetang’ula, speaking during the burial ceremony of Agneta Nerima Wangwe, mother to Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe on Friday, said leaders in Western will only get their rightful share of the national cake, if they unite.
He reminded them that ‘crowds are not votes’ and vice versa as major political realignments are expected ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our numbers mean nothing if we continue talking like we are talking now. Crowds are not votes, and votes are not crowds,” said the former Bungoma Senator.
“I stand for our unity, but we must also work with other communities. To be president you must win in 24 counties, how many do we have now, only five…we must look for allies.”
Wetang’ula chided leaders whom he said were laying bare their strategies in funerals and gatherings, adding that a good strategy is always crafted in the boardroom.
His sentiments were backed by Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
Atwoli revealed plans to host “Bukhungu Three” political meeting, where a declaration on the future of the Mulembe nation will be made.
“Leadership requires strategy, you must be in a strategic engagement. For you to get leadership (presidency), its not mandatory that you must have served as deputy president, you can be a deputy president yet you are clueless about which way the government is headed. It is not about the number of people you have its all about strategy,” he said.
On his part, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi urged Speaker Wetang’ula not to fold his Ford Kenya Party in order to join the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“I am an ODM member but count me in on matters that affect our people and the region. Mr. Speaker word is you have been asked to fold your parties, do not budge. Ford Kenya is the heritage of the people of Western Kenya,” stated Osotsi.
Leaders present at the funeral vowed to pile pressure on the government to release the necessary resources, to cater for the completion of various stalled infrastructure projects in the Western region.