Western Kenya leaders meet to prepare for 2017 polls

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe (left) and Lugari MP Ayub Savula arrive for the Luhya Unity Forum where several MPs from Western came together to deliberate on ways of improving the region's unity and voting patterns. [PHOTO: CHRISPEN SECHERE/STANDARD]

Leaders from western Kenya at the weekend held a consultative meeting where they came up with seven resolutions aimed at preparing the region for the 2017 polls.

Participants of the Luhya Unity Forum, held at the Golf Hotel, attracted leaders from across the political divide who deliberated on why the region has been lagging behind in leadership.

Addressing the Press, Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu read the resolutions dubbed 'Kakamega Declaration One' saying they aim to streamline the voting patterns in the region and have launched a massive voter registration campaign, targeting six million voters.

"In this region, people to do not apply for IDs or voter's cards and this has had a negative impact on our politics because we cannot bargain for power without numbers on the table," he said.

Some of the resolutions agreed upon include: Bringing all leaders on board to chart the way forward for the region, using the Nyumba Kumi initiative to create awareness and civic education among residents and fronting one presidential flag bearer by 2017 from the region.

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma asked leaders from the region to be honest in their dealings with each other, saying they also need to address residents' challenges regardless of party affiliations.

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"Our region is not organised. Leaders just talk instead of engaging in activities that help our people. We are the second largest group but our presence is not felt because our people do not apply for identity cards, they do not get registered and they do not vote. This must be change," he said.

The MP said they will give each ward and constituency a target of voters to be registered in their respective areas.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula said the region has a population of more than 4.3 million yet only 1.2 million people registered as voters in the last general election.

He said they will form a committee in every ward and constituency to be chaired by elected leaders and also involve the local administration in ensuring they reach their target.

"We do not want a repeat of previous elections and are launching this massive civic education and voter registration exercise at all grass-root levels to ensure more people are registered by 2017," he said.

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe said the region should consolidate its votes to give it a greater bargaining power.

Teso South MP Mary Emase decried the 'abandonment' of the Tesos and Sabaots.

"We are a part of this region but we are not Luhyas. As minority groups, we need recognition and should not be used as a swing board. We should learn from the past and come together for the sake of our people," she said.