Luhya unity is as short-lived as a chicken fight

ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba (right) joins hands as a sign of unity with Funyula Mp Dr. Paul Otwoma during Samia Cultural day held at Bumbe beach in Busia County on December, 26 2014. The duo resolved to put aside their political differences in order to strengthen the Party in Busia County and Countrywide. [Picture by Benjamin Sakwa/STANDARD]

Luhya unity will remain a pipe dream as long as the region lacks a strong political and economic base, pundits say.

They opine that the failure to rally under one candidate during elections and the tendency of split the electoral bloc has devalued the Luhya’s stature as the second largest (some demographers say the largest) community, and caused them to be overshadowed politically.

“The community should not let history repeat itself. In the past, the Luhya community has voted in a confused way by splitting their vote amongst several presidential candidates,” observes Prof Amukowa Anangwe, a political analyst and political science lecturer at Dodoma University in Tanzania.

Western region leaders are blamed for not raising concerns over the poor local economy, with Webuye Pan-Paper Mills and cotton and lint industries having collapsed, Mumias Sugar Company in the ICU and the decline of maize and livestock farming in the region.

Dr Martin Oloo, an advocate and political analyst, says if the community cannot lead small institutions like Mumias Sugar Company or a football team like AFC Leopards to demonstrate their leadership mettle, there is no strong justification for them to be trusted with steering a national government.

“If leadership was about talk, we would be very far as a region, but unfortunately that is not the case. We are visionless and powerless. Those in leadership have failed to show the community a direction because of their selfish interests. We don’t see beyond ourselves as individuals,” notes Dr Oloo.

Funyula Member of Parliament, Dr Paul Otuoma, echoes Oloo’s sentiments. He says that western leaders should stop being spectators because their failure to take a firm position on matters affecting the region is a liability to the people.

“The socio-economic impact on our people is so huge. We cannot afford to be spectators anymore; we must take a political position, oversight and provide leadership. We have done a lot disservice to our people,’’ adds Otuoma.

But Vihiga Senator George Khaniri and former Shinyalu legislator Justus Kizito argue there has been a deliberate effort by past regimes to impoverish western Kenya.

“The way main economic hubs in the region have been handled by past and current governments is to frustrate and impoverish the residents. Unless we speak with one voice as leaders and seek the presidency, our people will continue to suffer,’’ observes Khaniri.

Amukowa reiterates that Kenyan politics is ethnic-based and the community needs to evaluate the available options in terms of what is achievable in the next 26 months and their implications and consequences for the community in the long run.

“As to which political option is viable for the Luhya community, one has to bear in mind key assumptions, likely obstacles and twists as well as possible scenarios as to who is likely to win or lose in the presidential race. We should choose to be on the winning side as no one goes to cast a vote consciously in order for the preferred candidate to lose, unless there are mitigating circumstances,’’ observed the former Butere lawmaker.

Tongaren MP and Ford Kenya Party Secretary General Dr Eseli Simiyu, while criticising those forming new political parties, agreed that they have failed as leaders and their silence continues to hinder development and unity in the region.

“Why form new parties? Parties are not meant to be regional. Those doing so are falling into the trap of our detractors whose agenda is to split our votes. Having a Luhya candidate is the way to go. We have to build bridges with other communities,’’ Dr Eseli asserts.

But Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi states that the Luhya unity agenda is an imposed one, adding that formation of political parties is not unique and does not exceed the number of political parties in other regions.

“The Luhya unity song is divisive and a diversion. The people of this region are not divided, even though leaders argue incessantly. It is wrong to brand the region as obsessed with formation of political parties,’’ insists Mudavadi.

Amukowa however dismisses Mudavadi’s sentiments as unfounded. “Luhya unity is desirable and it should be pursued relentlessly. It should not be an end in itself; it must be unity of purpose reached through consensus building and geared towards a specific political objective,’’ says Amukowa.

During the last polls, the region registered two million voters, but only 1.2 million turned out to exercise their democratic right.