Be wary of selfish leaders behind calls for Luhya unity

Western region has witnessed renewed political activity in recent times. Its key political heavy weights have dominated the limelight with calls for elusive Luhya unity in the run-up to the next election.

They have made clarion calls in funerals and other social functions to drum up support for political unity, aimed at utilising the numerical strength of the region to deliver the presidency.

Indeed, the region has been the focus of both Jubilee and CORD coalitions, with the former using State-funded projects and appointments to woo voters. Traditionally, the region has not been voting as a bloc.

The region continues to witness major political realignments with senior political leaders in the region forming their own political outfits.

Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula is the leader of Ford Kenya; former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi has formed Amani National Congress; Cyrus Jirongo and former Speaker Kenneth Marende are rumoured to have formed a party while newly appointed Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has New Ford Kenya. Others in the mix are ODM’s Ababu Namwamba, Wycliffe Oparanya and Boni Khalwale.

However, what all these politicians have in common is that they are advancing their own selfish political interests. They don’t have a clear development agenda that aims at uplifting the livelihoods of the people.

The question that lingers on is: What do these parties stand for? Apparently, the sole aim of these politicians is, as 2017 approaches, to use their parties to wield bargaining power in formation of alliances with politicians from other regions.

Despite having a high population, the region has always lagged behind in development - something that can be attributed to its leaders. The region has a myriad of problems ranging from high rate of unemployment, sugarcane farmers’ woes, poor infrastructure, food insecurity and lack of clean water.

Apparently, none of the old and new political outfits has outlined its economic agenda and how it aims to deal with these challenges for the greater good of the region and the nation at large.

Since the last General Election, the elected leaders including governors, senators, MPs and MCAs have been embroiled in petty politics.

Those who have been in the leadership for quite some time have no development track records to boast of and it is time for the electorate to begin asking hard questions.

What’s more, the political maturity of these leaders is questionable. They seem to have embraced the outdated culture of confrontational politics characterised by incessant war of words and physical confrontations at funerals. That issue-based political competition is alien to scores of these politicians is not in doubt.

The region is still yearning for a leader who can inspire the masses and rally them towards a common goal.

It is worth noting that the electorate in Western region  are tired of constant frivolous politicking. The much sought after Luhya unity amounts to nothing if it is aimed at maintaining the status quo. This should be the unity of purpose and not of political convenience of a few.

The electorate must be wary of these leaders championing for the so-called Luhya unity whose main agenda is to straight-jacket the region into certain political outfits in order to auction them to the highest bidder in the run-up to the 2017 elections.