Luhya Elders Warn MPs against Aligning with William Ruto and Raila Odinga: “They’ve Done Nothing”
- Luhya elders from Likuyani told elected leaders in the larger western region to stop praising President William Ruto
- The elders claimed the president and his newfound political friend, Raila Odinga, have not done anything that benefits the region
- They challenged all elected leaders currently allied to Kenya Kwanza to decamp to Eugene Wamalwa-led Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K)
Kakamega: Members of the Luhya Council of Elders from Likuyani sub-county have warned elected leaders from western Kenya against aligning with President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
Why Luhya elders are unhappy with MPs praising Ruto
The elders, who spoke to TUKO.co.ke after a peace meeting in a local hotel, said it is embarrassing to see western leaders, led by their area Member of Parliament, Innocent Mugabe, praise President Ruto for initiating development projects in the region just for public relevance.
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"We wonder why our leaders from this region praise William Ruto, yet he has done nothing. We saw even our MP praise him for initiating some projects which are stalled. As Luhyas, we need to unite so that we can send them home," said Lucas Gavala, the elders’ council chairperson.
They further asked Raila to forget about western Kenya votes ahead of the 2027 General Election. According to the elders, the former prime minister has taken the community for granted for a long time.
In addition, they claimed his recent deal with the Kenya Kwanza administration has only benefited his people in the Luo Nyanza.
"ODM under Raila Odinga lacks goodwill for the people of western. This was seen when he agreed with President Ruto, only to benefit his loyalties from Nyanza, while in 2022 campaigns, he said that when he forms government, Luhyas were to be given the treasury docket, a promise that wasn't fulfilled. The position has since gone to his people,” Gavala said.
Is DAP-K popular in western Kenya?
Meanwhile, the Luhya elders have advised all western Kenya elected leaders currently allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration to join the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K).
Source: Original
The move, the elders argued, would help enhance the community’s political influence ahead of the upcoming polls.
DAP-K party is led by former Cabinet minister Eugene Wamalwa.
The elders also revealed plans to formally unveil Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya as the community’s spokesperson.
Natembeya, serving his first term as a county boss, has been popularising his Tawe Movement. However, he has faced criticisms of advancing tribal politics, a claim he has denied on numerous occasions.
Are western Kenya politicians misleading voters about Kenya Kwanza?
Recently, TUKO.co.ke reported that Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe had cautioned elected leaders from the region against misleading their people about the government's performance.
Mugabe, elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket said contrary to what some leaders were telling locals, there were several projects in the region initiated by the current administration.
He further said President Ruto is likely to easily secure re-election in 2027.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
Rasto Wamalwa Rasto Wamalwa is a political and current affairs journalist with over five years of experience in broadcast and print media. I have worked in various radio stations such as Bk Radio, Mitume Fm, Khendo Fm and Radio Matumaini. I also served as a news correspondent at The Kenya Times, Countysplash newspaper and Shahidi online news. I am based in Kakamega county.
