A LUHYA FOR TOP POST 2012

A section of Western Province leaders have told presidential aspirants seeking votes from the region to keep off, maintaining they would field one of their own.

Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula and MPs Cyrus Jirongo and Chris Okemo said it was the region’s turn to take the leadership mantle of the country.

"We are tired of supporting others and always end up being number two. We are the second largest community and this should be translated into votes," said Mr Wetang’ula.

The three, who have each declared their interests in the top seat, said they would support the person residents will pick to go for the top seat in 2012. They made the remarks in the presence of ODM MPs Paul Otuoma and Alfred Odhiambo.

But separately, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito said ODM was the party of choice for many Luhyas and they were waiting for 2012 to front Musalia Mudavadi.

Sealed fate

Wetang’ula took issue with Mr Mudavadi for settling for second place, arguing that politics is about winning or losing and not being number two.

But Kizito said: "Wetang’ula was distant in his rankings in PNU and came from a party that had lost support on the ground."

Wetang’ula told ODM MPs from the region that the fate of the party was sealed, adding there was no room for competition.

He asked ODM MPs to join them, saying they would have a chance to go for the top seat and if not they would support their favourite aspirants.

But Kizito claimed the future was ODM, which Kenyans identified with and Luhyas stood a better and brighter political future in a strong party. He asked the leaders to hold their horses, saying 2012 was still distant.

Wetang’ula told the region’s leaders to stop criticising each other and instead work together.