By Standard Reporter
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi held a meeting with Bukusu elders in Kitale on Sunday to seek their support for the presidency.
The DPM met over 200 elders at his Kitale home to consolidate the Luhya community vote.
Mudavadi said there was no disunity in the region except some artificial perception created by those who hope to make political capital out of the confusion.
“Sometimes you wonder why mostly outsiders repeat claims about lack of unity while our people are busy living together peacefully. You cannot know more about people more than themselves,” he said.
He said the community would vote as a block in the coming elections.
The elders led by Mzee Peter Masinde said it was necessary for the community to show unity of purpose and support one leader from Western to ascend to power.
They said that they did not want to be blamed by future generations for not fostering unity among communities. Earlier, while hosting the Bukusu’s Bahengele clan leaders, Mudavadi said Kenya deserved a leadership that would ensure peace and stability.
“I promise Kenyans that my leadership will not condone hate and ethnic animosity,” he said.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the DPM insisted he is in the Presidential race all the way to the ballot box.
Mudavadi opposed the proposed fees for women seeking elective positions as recommended by the Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC).
Mudavadi said IEBC has been already been funded to a tune of Sh18 billion and does not see the sense behind the proposed charges. The draft election regulation by IEBC proposes to charge women Sh500,000 for clearance.
“Those charges will unfairly knock out most women from contesting leadership positions as they do not have the money,” he added.
Mudavadi was accompanied by former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi and Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito.
