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Why Luhya community have a long way to go

Living

Luhya as a tribe has 18 sub-tribes which constitutes of inhabitants of western province. The community also has a whooping population of 5.3 million people according to 2009 census. Surprisingly when voting time dawns, small voters turn out. Who is to blame for all this?

From time immemorial the region has lagged behind in development. Most economic avenues and institutions are rare. After the collapse of the famous Webuye paper mills, Mumias is on the same course. What is the fate of a common Luhya? Politicians are ever fighting for supremacy, while their people cherish in abject poverty.

Some will claim that the community is not united. But this may not be the reason. Given that we have had the late Elijah Masinde Muliro, the late Wamalwa Kijana, Mr. Mudavadi, and Former Vice president Mr. Moody Awori among many, they displayed leadership qualities. For instance, the late Wamalwa Kijana was a hero and forever he will be remembered for his tireless efforts. Therefore the entire Luhya community can rise and clinch the top sit.

However, politicians do little to help voters to vote. In 2013 general elections, majority of locals had not registered while in central Kenya voter education was a key thing. Luhya people have remained ignorant about voting and what they can do is debate on political matters yet they can’t help their candidate.

Furthermore, projects have reigned Luhya politics. Majority of politicians have a better beginning but they often meet untimely end. The likes of Musalia Mudavadi, Eugene Wamalwa and Cirus Jirongo can attest to this. It is high time for the leaders to take full responsibility and preach importance of voter registration and mobilize the youths, men and women to voting.

The Luhya community has a long way to go unless leaders do what are necessary for instance reviving Webuye pan paper mills and save collapsing Mumias Sugar Company. Without economic activities, no one will trust them.

More so, literacy level among the locals is still low.  County governments should establish institutions of higher learning to cater for this, because high level of illiteracy accounts for low turnout in voting. How do you convince an illiterate man or woman the importance of voting yet they are unaware of what voting is.

That being said and done, Luhya as a tribe will have a great share in the national cake as they have been longing for. Fighting for supremacy and championing our ego is not the best option. Let’s unite with one hand, one voice and believe that as a family we can rise beyond imaginable levels and put to shame our critics.

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