Wetang’ula ready to back popular aspirant

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By ERICK NGOBILO engobilo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Tuesday, July 10  2012 at  22:15

Ford Kenya leader and presidential hopeful Moses Wetang’ula has declared he is ready to shelve his presidential ambitions for the sake of Luhya unity.

Mr Wetang’ula said he is ready to rally behind a presidential candidate who will attract backing from all Luhyas.

At the weekend, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli and Mr Wetang’ula agreed to unite behind one presidential candidate.

“I am ready to support whoever we will nominate to be our presidential candidate. I expect others to rally behind me if I will be the one,” Mr Wetang’ula said.

Speaking at Sirare Primary School in his Sirisia constituency, Mr Wetang’ula added: “I will soon unveil my campaign secretariat and my presidential campaigns are still on course.

“But our unity talks are ongoing. I have spoken to my brother, Eugene, more than six times today, and we are determined to unite our people.”

He pointed out that the Luhya have a record number of six hopefuls in the presidential race.

Mr Wetang’ula also called on Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to work with other presidential candidates from the Luhya community.

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He appealed for unity so that Kenyans can coexist in a peaceful way. “We need, as presidential hopefuls, to be on the forefront in preaching peace. We need to rise above negative ethnicity and advance unity of purpose,” he said.

Mr Wetang’ula urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to monitor FM stations that propagate negative ethnicity.

“All vernacular FM stations need to be closely monitored to ensure that they are preaching peace. We do not want to plunge the country into chaos as witnessed in the 2007 General Election,” he said.

He challenged the media to give an equal platform to all aspirants in the presidential race.

“Presidential candidates should be given an opportunity to sell their manifestos and ideologies to Kenyans regardless of their party and tribal affiliations,” he said.

Mr Wetang’ula and Mr Wamalwa, who have been wrangling since falling out during Ford Kenya elections, agreed to bury the hatched and work together for the sake of the community.

“Our unity is bigger and more meaningful than the selfish ambitions we are out to pursue at individual levels. We want to put the interest of the community ahead,” Mr Wetang’ula said.

He asked political opportunists and power brokers to refrain from interfering in the unity talks.

“There are aspirants for various seats who want to ride our backs to secure seats. We challenge them to go to the people and look for votes,” he said.

Other leaders supporting the unity talks include nominated MP Musikari Kombo, Forestry Minister Noah Wekesa and Kimilili MP Eseli Simiyu.