Eugene Wamalwa to back Musalia Mudavadi in 2017

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugine Wamalwa has said he will support former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi if he guns for presidency in the 2017 elections.

“Mudavadi declined a ministerial position and instead asked President Uhuru to consider me for the position. I will also support his bid to contest for the presidency when the right time comes,” said Mr Wamalwa.

He scolded Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo who have announced their candidatures for the presidency in 2017.

“We must now be guided by our cultural ways that call for peace in nurturing sobriety in our politics in order to succeed,” said Wamalwa.

He was speaking during the Maragoli Cultural Festival held at Mbale grounds on Saturday.

The event was attended by Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga, County Assembly Speaker Dan Chitwah, MPs Alfred Agoi (Sabatia), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Ayub Savula (Lugari) and Chris Omulele (Luanda), among other leaders.

The leaders regretted that the disunity in the region was being exploited by other politicians to advance their own agenda.

The Luhya have over 18 sub-tribes that have diverse cultural practices, making them disagree in many ways.

Already Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and Jirongo, who are from the region, have declared their interest in the presidency come 2017.

“When our people run away from their culture, it makes them vulnerable to other people’s opinion,” said Mr Mudavadi who is the Amani National Congress party leader.

“Politics in Kenya is increasingly becoming tribal. People are standing first with someone from their region before they look at what their neighbour can offer,” said Mudavadi.

Opinion polls

He further observed that the country was increasingly being divided by opinion polls sponsored by politicians who have huge stakes in the companies that conduct them.

“How do you expect the companies sponsored by individuals to be fair while conducting opinion polls? It is merely dividing the nation,” said Mudavadi.

He asked President Uhuru to consider stabilising the economy since many Kenyans were suffering.

This year’s Maragoli Cultural Festival was the 35th edition since its initiation by the late Moses Budamba Mudavadi, father to the former deputy primer.

During the event, residents learn about various implements used by their ancestors and revisit some of their traditions.

The residents further interact with elders who share their wisdom.

Elders used the occasion to announce that the next circumcision among the Maragoli would be held in August, next year.

Vihiga Cultural Society chairperson Bernard Chahilu said the society was being influenced by foreign cultures leading to vices such as corruption, greed and terrorism among others.