Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula had a rough time selling his 2017 presidential bid in Vihiga after he was heckled during a rally by residents opposed to his ambition. Wetang’ula, who was addressing a crowd on Saturday at Mbihi village in Vihiga constituency during the home coming ceremony for Muhudu Ward Representative Wilber Kitiezo, was forced to cut short his speech after being shouted down by a charged crowd.
Trouble began when he told the crowd that he is the only mature political leader who can lead the community of Mulembe to State House. Wetang’ula criticised UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi who he accused of undermining the Luhya community’s bid to State House. It was then that the crowd, led by the MCAs, heckled him and walked out of the meeting forcing Wetang’ula to cut short his speech. The MCAs, led by Vihiga county Assembly Chief Whip Abdullah Chogo ,urged Wetang’ula to respect Mudavadi.
He said Mudavadi is exercising national politics and not tribal politics saying that is why he nominated people outside the Western region. They said UDF is a strong party with many MPs, MCAs a governor and Senators unlike Ford Kenya party which has a few elected members. Chogo said UDF is a strong party with strong roots all over the country calling on Wetang’ula to stop underrating the party’s leader.
UDF Leader of Majority in Vihiga Assembly Andrew Ahuga dismissed Wetang’ula’s sentiments and branded him a tribalist out to divide Kenyans. Ahuga said Wetangula’s claims that Mudavadi nominated people outside Luhya community are untrue and have no basis. Shirugu-Mugai Ward Rep Albert Wetundu asked Wetang’ula to respect Mudavadi saying he is senior in Kenyan politics than him.
Wetundu asked political leaders from the Luhya community to fully support Mudavadi because he is the eligible and prolific candidate who can lead Western community to the ‘big house’. Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli said if Luhyas make use of their numbers winning the presidency will be an easy task. Atwoli said although the community has a large population, they have nothing to show for their numbers.
He asked them to register as voters in large numbers and join one party to enable them capture the most coveted presidential seat. “Let us be in one party, if it is UDF be there 100 per cent, Ford-Kenya 100 per cent, ODM 100 per cent. Nairobi governor Evans Kidero also asked Luhyas to forge strong political unity with people from Nyanza to ensure they capture the presidency. Last month, Wetang’ula cautioned Mudavadi against accepting nomination to the Cabinet.
Wetang’ula said such an appointment is aimed at weakening the much-touted but elusive Luhya unity. There had been speculation that Mudavadi is poised for a Cabinet position in the Jubilee government following reports that Uhuru is set to make wide-ranging appointments and transfers in government in the coming days, that could also see Mudavadi being appointed to a position in government. The Ford Kenya leader cautioned Mudavadi, urging him to learn from history and not be hoodwinked into destroying his political career ahead of the 2017 elections. - By ENOCK AMUKHALE
-thepeople.co.ke
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