Eight months to the General Election, a political showdown is looming in Western Kenya, as Luhya leaders converge on the famed Bukhungu stadium on Friday to decide on the community’s political future.
The meeting, convened by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, is already causing ripples in the usually divided community, with the political elite accusing the Cotu boss of taking advantage of the political hopelessness in the region to force outsiders on the region.
ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula fired the warning shot when on Sunday they attacked Mr Atwoli and declared they would not attend the meeting, which, apart from providing the community with the opportunity to decide its political future, could also end up picking the community’s political spokesman to replace the ANC leader.
During the 40th Maragoli Cultural Festival at Mbale Municipal Grounds in Vihiga County, the two politicians warned Mr Atwoli against holding the meeting and declared that the community would not be used anymore.
"I will not attend the Bukhungu Stadium meeting,” Mr Mudavadi declared on Sunday, wondering why Mr Atwoli would want to determine who should be elected in the region when he himself is not seeking any elective political position.
“Do not to accept to be divided. Mr Atwoli is killing the leaders we created. We cannot afford to be divided this time round."
Mr Wetang'ula wondered how the Cotu boss would give the community direction yet he has never been elected.
"Some of those we supported are now working with Mr Atwoli who has never been elected. Enough is enough, and we will stop him. He is telling us he will give a list of preferred leaders. For this, we are telling him off.”
Mr Atwoli has held such meetings in the past, the last being the 2016, when he hoisted Mr Mudavadi as the spokesman of the community.
However, he appears to have stirred the hornet’s nest this time by declaring that beyond giving the community political direction, he would unveil a list of individuals he wants voted in for all elective seats in the region.
As the region gears up for the event, which ODM leader Raila Odinga has confirmed he will attend, questions have been raised on the legitimacy of the meeting.
Critics say Mr Atwoli lacks the legitimacy to summon such a meeting, let alone offer to give direction on how people in the county should vote.
Journalist David Ochami, who has written extensively about the politics of the region, dismissed those advancing such arguments, pointing out that Mr Atwoli is not short on charismatic leadership.
“Mr Atwoli doesn’t need to be elected to offer the community leadership. Great leaders seize historical moments and provide leadership, and on this, the Cotu boss has acted well,” he said, while blaming Mr Mudavadi for having failed to provide leadership for the community in the 32 years he has been in active politics.
“The ANC leader has betrayed the community’s sense of pride. It’s difficult to understand what he wants in politics and where he is headed. In fact, he has expended the legitimacy conferred on him by Mr Atwoli in 2016.”
Long Before his election to lead Cotu in 2001, Mr Atwoli was in politics, having served as a Kanu member.
He contested the Butere parliamentary seat in the 1992 election on Kanu ticket and lost to the late Martin Shikuku.
Five years later, he unsuccessfully contested the Khwisero parliamentary seat through Kanu, and opted to quit active political party activities, and focus on trade unionism.
Although it is the second most populous ethnic group in the country, the Luhya community lacks a notable religious, political or even cultural leader who could provide directions in weighty national issues.
“Mr Atwoli has filled the vacuum and the community has grudgingly accepted him. He has worked for it and earned the community’s trust,” said Mr Ochami.
That the Cotu boss has President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ear has all but enhanced his role in the community’s affairs.
Lugari MP Ayub Savula said he supported the Friday meeting, to the extent that Mr Atwoli has the right to summon it and those who will attend have the right to assemble in line with the Constitution.
“If you are not happy with the meeting, keep off and organise your own,” he said in response to those who have opposed the meeting.
University of Nairobi lecturer Herman Manyora likened Mr Atwoli to the late Moses Mudavadi, for having succeeded in transcending artificial intra-ethnic boundaries in their time.
“When you see Mr Atwoli, you don’t see him as somebody from Kakamega. You can’t pigeonhole him into his sub-tribe. You see him as a Luhya. He is where the senior Mudavadi was at the sunset of his politics, only that it took the community long to realise his potential,” he said.
The Cotu boss is also among the wealthiest Kenyans. He has never shied away from proclaiming his fortune.
“Leadership goes with resources and generosity. Mr Atwoli is wealthy and not selfish,” Mr Manyora said.
