By Peter Ochieng
National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula has urged Luhya leaders to embrace unity of purpose, towards the country’s top leadership.
Speaking in Bulimbo, Kakamega county over the weekend, the Speaker seemed to be addressing Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya, who has been attacking him over ‘selfish leadership’ in Western.
Wetang’ula dismissed the attacks, adding that Mulembe Nation leaders have to unite with a view of taking the right steps towards the country’s presidency, starting 2027.
“As a region we want to be somewhere come 2027 but it will be impossible to even convince other communities to support us if we continue fighting among each other. We want a community to speak in one voice,” said the Speaker.
The former Bungoma Senator urged elected leaders to lead with decorum. Last month, Wetang’ula and Natembeya’s supporters clashed at a funeral event in Trans Nzoia.
“As leaders, we are given the privilege to serve the citizens. This authority does not belong to us but to them. No one has an inherent right to lead in this country; it is bestowed upon you by the people,” added Wetang’ula.
The Speaker’s sentiments were echoed by among others, Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka, who has previously called on Natembeya to tone down attacks against Wetang’ula, who doubles as Ford Kenya party leader.
Lusaka called on the political leadership in the Western region to establish a formidable caucus, aimed at fostering socio-economic advancement.
“In order for our region to prosper, it is imperative that we establish a strong political caucus and foster cooperation, as these are essential instruments in driving forward our developmental aspirations for the people.”
“We must take pride in our region’s top leadership and rally behind our own to bolster our bargaining power for a fair share of the national resources,” added the former Senate Speaker.
He challenged the Mulembe Nation to invest in current leadership, to bolster the region’s prominence on the national stage.
On his part, Busia governor Paul Nyongesa Otuoma said residents and leaders of Western should be united by a transformative agenda.
“Communities across the country have internal differences, just like our very own Luhya grouping. However, most are united by a transformative agenda,” he said.
“Our own Luhya community is not unique to these challenges, including having political differences. Nonetheless, we must embrace each other and unite to bring about development that will improve the livelihoods of our people.”
Otuoma said through unity, previous Western region leaders managed to bring about factories, such as Mumias, Nzoia and the Pan Paper Mills in Webuye.