Leaders urge Wetang'ula to spearhead Luhya unity

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

A section of Western leaders have challenged National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula to champion the region's political and development agenda.

Led by Sirisia MP John Waluke, who is the Western Parliamentary Caucus chairman, the leaders said Mr Wetang'ula is better placed to champion the development agenda by ensuring favourable laws pass in Parliament.

Mr Waluke said the Ford Kenya leader is in a strategic position to succeed President William Ruto in 2032.

Speaking during a funds drive in aid of Lhirembe Friends church in Ikolomani constituency, yesterday, where they were hosted by MP Bernard Shinali, the leaders said they will back Wetang'ula in spearheading interests of Western.

Present were MPs Waluke, Fred Ikana (Shinyalu), Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Emannuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Kakamega Woman Rep Elsie Muhanda and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and a host of MCAs from Azimio and Kenya Kwanza.

The leaders urged Wetang'ula not to shy away from traversing Western to reach out to leaders and locals in the unity drive. "As the chairman of Western MPs, I will make sure all legislators rally behind you and follow you everywhere you go so that when Dr Ruto exits power in 2032, you take over from him," said Walukhe.

The lawmaker said he is planning to hold a meeting with Western MCAs in an effort to unite the region and encourage locals to rally behind the Speaker.

"We must walk together so that during the election, our numerical strength can count for something and that is why we are going to have a meeting with MCAs drawn from Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia to discuss the unity of our region," he said.

Savula reminded the locals that Wetang'ula was number three in the government pecking order and urged the Ford Kenyan party boss to actualise the grand match that was started by the late Michael Kijana Wamalwa of uniting the region.

"During Wamalwa's era as a community we began a political journey but some took a wrong path and found themselves in political oblivion, as the Speaker, we are endorsing you today to revive the initiative started by Wamalwa and we guarantee you our unwavering support as leaders," he said.