Luhya unity: Prime CS Mudavadi holds talks with Kenya Kwanza, Azimio Western MPs

Efforts to bring together all elected Luhya Members of Parliament have begun in earnest with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi meeting legislators from both sides of the political divide.

The well-attended breakfast meeting, which brought together 35 elected MPs from the larger Western Kenya, is bound to raise political eyebrows as Mudavadi tries to consolidate his region in a bid to fight for space in the Kenya Kwanza government.

Although those who attended the meeting insist there was nothing political that was discussed, pundits see it as an effort by Mudavadi to bring together all elected Western lawmakers.

Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala, who attended the meeting, insisted that the meeting was not political, hence his reason for attending it despite being a staunch ODM party member.

“Even after EALA elections we learned a very bitter lesson, that we always extend our hand to help other people, but when we are in need no one comes to our aid. So this is an eye opener where we want to move together irrespective of our political parties, and it’s not a political journey or a political statement we are making, we just want to deliver to our people” Khamala said.

Khamala said they largely focused on how to finish stalled projects in the region and revive factories that have been run down in the regions.

He however did not rule out the possibility that the meeting could result in a political movement saying; “The window of politics never closes, it’s always open.”

Butere MP Tindi Mwale, who also attended the meeting, also stated that the meeting largely focused on development projects and ensuring that the interests of the Mulembe nation are catered for under the Kenya Kwanza government.

“We just have to accept that leaders should work beyond their political affiliation, and why is it that it’s only when Luhyas meet that we read politics in it? This was a normal meeting,” said Mwale.

“Is there anything wrong with Musalia consolidating his region? Any politician has an ambition and if he wants to consolidate his backyard, that is where politics begin; politics is local, we have seen other leaders saying they want to consolidate their region, and if Mudavadi wants to do that we will support him” added Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who also attended the meeting.

However, a section of leaders from the region, especially those who did not attend the meeting, were dismissive with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna saying he saw no reason to show up.

“I did not attend, Musalia has no base to consolidate but he is free to have tea with his kinsmen,” he said.

“I have no comment, I didn't attend. I had very important engagements in Parliament as the chair of CPIC. I also do not want to be part of an agenda whose end game is potentially divisive and unproductive,” said Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.