Wetangula condemns Raila over Luhya unity remarks

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has condemned Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s utterances that the Luhya community is being united on tribal lines.

Speaking at a funeral in Navaholo Constituency, Kakamega County, the Bungoma Senator said it was ironical for Mr. Odinga to say that a call for Luhya unity by Musalia Mudavadi and himself (Wetangula) is tribal yet it is a way of bringing together the Western region.

“Raila says that Musalia and I are tribal for coming together tounite Luhyas, yet him and Uhuru Kenyatta have been shaking hands with agenda of uniting Kenyans. If Musalia and I come together and shake hands, I don’t see any problems, and because Luhya is a big community, he sees that as a threat if our people rally behind us,” said the FORD-Kenya party leader.

Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale who was present at the event, called on Mr. Odinga to support Mudavadi and Wetangula’s call for unity among the Luhya Community as a way of returning favour since they supported him in the last General Election.

“Luhyas have no problem with Raila shaking hands with President Uhuru or anyone, but as they do that, they must put in mind that our Mumias, Nzoia and Webuye pan-paper factories resume their functionality,” said Khalwale.

“It is Uhuru’s last term in the office as provided by the constitution. As Raila shakes hands with Uhuru, he should not forget that as Luhyas we gave him our support in the last election therefore he should return the favor in 2022.”

Last weekend, Mr. Odinga faulted politicians who are currently focused on forming tribal groupings ahead of the 2022 elections.

Kuna wale ambao wanapenda sana kusema siasa ya ukabila. Oh tuungane kama wajaluo, waluhya ndio tuungane na kabila hii….hii ni siasa duni ya pesa nane. There are those leaders who like pushing for tribal politics. This is cheap politics,” said Odinga while speaking at Mungatsi Primary School in Nambale, Busia County.