Luhya leaders need to wake up

While reading a local daily, I was amused to note that Luhya political leaders have at long last woken up from a decade of deep sleep. As two parties deliberate on merging to try and reach out to the community in readiness to unite ahead of 2017 general elections, the community is willingly backing them.

However some concerns have been raised and many wonder if they will work smoothly.

First, Luhya as a community has young and promising leaders that can shape up Luhya politics furthermore addressing many factors that have derailed the community in development. As such, the issue of recycling old politicians like former deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi is uncalled for. If he is lucky enough and becomes the flag bearer in 2017, believe me Luhyas will be reluctant to vote for him for obvious reasons.

Secondly, the main objective of the coalition should be to address the main problems affecting the Luhya people but not to benefit politicians. Because it will be wrong if we champion for a coalition of leaders who will be enjoying life after winning elections while the community sufers in abject poverty.

Currently, the famous Mumias sugar company is on the blink of collapse. Webuye Pan Paper Mills is already history. How will the community unite if leaders cannot address these issues? Mumias Sugar Company for instance has been serving most parts of western Kenya before the advent of other sugar factories. Busia County is largely affected as farmers who have been investing in the crop for decades are now in a dilemma.

Thirdly, voter education is necessary. Since time immemorial, western Kenya has been registering low voter turnout during polls. Majority of residents do not have identity cards. You will be surprised that the youth who in most cases throng political meetings and rallies do not have identification cards.

Furthermore, western Kenya has been fanning for leaders from Nyanza province. This was clearly evident in 2013 general elections and 2007 election after they fully pledged and voted for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. To make matters worse, Mudavadi who was a presidential candidate at the two elections could not woo voters from his backyard. He lost. Going by 2013 and 2007 voting pattern by Luhya community, a candidate from the region has flimsy chances to trounce in 2017 general elections.

As every politician is staging his political campaign in harness of 2017 elections, the Luhya community has a long way to go and maybe playing second fiddle and they will be waiting for quite a long time.