Luhya elders speak after a forum called by top ODM officials from the Western region.
Luhya elders on Thursday held a consultative meeting with top Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) officials from the Western region to explore the community’s options ahead of 2027 polls.
The elders had summoned ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and co-Deputy Party Leader Godfrey Osotsi to discuss the region’s stake in ODM post the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
During the meeting, Daily Nation has learnt, the elders sought updates on the happenings in the party and an alleged sidelining in the broad-based government arrangement.
Led by Mzee Patrick Wangamati and former Cabinet Minister Noah Wekesa, the elders said they had not been briefed about the broad-based government deal despite the community being fully behind the ODM party.
Luhya elders speak after a forum called by top ODM officials from the Western region.
The meeting also raised concerns over alleged political machinations against Mr Sifuna over his position against the broad-based government.
Mr Sifuna is one of the fiercest critics of the deal between Mr Odinga and President William Ruto, a position that has made him clash with other party officials who are in support of the arrangement.
“We summoned the two senior most ODM leader to inform us about the happenings in the party. Three quarters of our community are in ODM, therefore what happens in the party concerns us. Nobody talked to us about the broad-based arrangement,” said the Elders’ Forum Secretary General Fred Omondi.
Mr John Mbadi (National Treasury), Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and MSMEs) and Beatrice Askul (ASAL) are some of the ODM top officials incorporated in the Cabinet under the broad-based arrangement.
Apart from Mr Oparanya, Western region has Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Deborah Barasa (Environment) in the Cabinet. Other top seats held by the community include National Assembly Speaker occupied by Mr Moses Wetang’ula.
Mr Wekesa said the meeting was part of the community’s effort to unite ahead of the 2027 General Election. He said the community has remained divided in successive elections, a scenario that has made them have reduced negotiation power.
“We are number two in population, but we have not been taken seriously. We will make sure we present a united front. This meeting was just but the beginning of more to come,” said Mr Wekesa.
In a joint statement, the meeting resolved to ensure unity of purpose so that the community is not isolated.
“It is in the selfish interest of many political players to divide the Luhya nation so that we may not be able to benefit from the demographic strength that we have, which is God given.”
“We have today mandated a working group composed of our leaders, elders, professionals, and business people to start a process of structured engagement among ourselves and with other Kenyan communities. This is the only fair approach in which a consensus can emerge so that we do not become the victims of a few political brokers who benefit as individuals using the Luhya numerical strength purely for their selfish ends.”
Speaking separately, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka called on leaders from the Mulembe Nation to set aside their political differences and rally behind a united regional agenda.
He said its only unity that will guarantee Western Kenya a stronger voice in national politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Our unity is our strength,” Lusaka told the gathering. “It is time Mulembe leaders put aside their differences and work together. When we speak in one voice, our bargaining power at the national level becomes undeniable.”
He was speaking at Moi Girls Nangili in Likuyani Constituency, Kakamega County, where he presided over a fund drive for the Bukusu Cultural Centre.
The Bungoma Governor noted that Western Kenya remains a strategic voting bloc whose potential has often been underutilized due to political fragmentation.
He urged leaders to focus on common interests that uplift the region, rather than individual ambitions.
Mr Lusaka further appealed to the community to support the current national leadership, saying cooperation and mutual respect among leaders are essential for the region’s economic growth and long-term development.
“We must support the leadership in place and ensure we are part of the national conversation,” he said.
“President William Ruto has demonstrated commitment through visible development projects across the country. His record speaks for itself, and the opposition will not defeat him in 2027.”
