Western leaders endorse Raila for presidency at Bukhungu rally

Opposition chief Raila Odinga Friday got a major boost during a rally in Kakamega after key leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja movement from western Kenya endorsed him as their preferred presidential candidate in the 2022 succession race.

In a move that appeared to pile pressure on Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, the Luhya Elders’ Forum stripped him of the spokesman’s role and instead handed it to Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

Mr Mudavadi suffered a further setback after the ANC Deputy Party Leader Ayub Savula and Teso North MP Oku Kaunya announced their defection from the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) to the Azimio la Umoja movement during the rally dubbed Bukhungu II.

The high stakes meeting brought together more than 30 MPs, several senators and governors Oparanya, Dr Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Mr James Ongwae (Kisii), Mrs Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Mr Sospeeter Ojaamong (Busia).

Senior government officials who included Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, PSs Simon Nabukwesi (Higher Education), Ms Josephtha Mukobe (Culture) and Deputy Head of Public Service Wanyama Musyambo were also present.

Campaign for Odinga

Mr Savula and Mr Kaunya used the meeting to declare that they will campaign for Mr Odinga in the region, with the Teso North MP inviting the ODM leader to Busia for campaigns.

“We have two political sides in Kenya. It is a two-horse race between Raila and Deputy President William Ruto. Because of the confusion in OKA, I have decided to abandon it and join Azimio la Umoja under Baba (Odinga),” said Mr Savula.

On his part, Mr Kaunya said he has led the way for his ANC party leader to join the journey to take Mr Odinga to State House.

The meeting saw several MCAs from ANC and Ford Kenya defect to ODM.

Other leaders who joined the Azimio la Umoja bandwagon were National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Mr Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Dr Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Mr Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi.

The Bukhungu II declaration rally was convened by Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli to chart a new political path for the Luhya community ahead of the August 9, 2022 General Election.

Mr Atwoli said he was excited that his meeting proceeded uninterrupted and achieved its goal to unite the region.

He said the entire region is in the Azimio la Umoja movement and that voters will elect Mr Odinga.

Elders’ resolutions

The Luhya Elders’ Forum, which has representation among the 18 Luhya sub-tribes, came up with five key resolutions which they said will ensure the community forms part of the next government.

In the resolutions that were read by the forum’s secretary, Mr Peter Ludava, politicians opposed to the movement will be voted out at the polls.

“We resolve that the community shall only vote for candidates on other seats who are allied to Azimio la Umoja,” Mr Ludava said and noted that Mr Atwoli is their patron.

Addressing the rally, Mr Odinga said he was delighted following the success of the Bukhungu II rally whose planning had received opposition from Mr Mudavadi, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.

Said Mr Odinga, “The whole country was watching and waiting for this big day at Bukhungu. The Luhya community has spoken loud and clear. Those who opposed this meeting should read the signs of the times.”

Economic liberation

Mr Odinga said the Bukhungu II meeting had come days after he declared his presidential bid and explained to Kenyans his ten-point plan to turn around the economy and improve livelihoods if elected the fifth president.

“My focus will be on economic liberation of Kenyans so that the youth, who are the majority, can get jobs and improve their livelihoods,” said Mr Odinga.

The ODM leader said if elected president, he will focus on revival of the financially troubled Mumias Sugar Company and supported the recent move by the receiver manager, PVR Rao, to lease it to a Ugandan investor for 20 years.

The former prime minister castigated Mr Malala, who had opposed the earlier decision to lease the miller to steel mogul Nerangra Raval.

Nominated MP Maina Kamanda told the meeting he had attended to represent the people of Mt Kenya.

Uhuru’s representatives

“Together with my delegation here, we are representatives of Uhuru Kenyatta. Ruto is making his first attempt and Raila has done (it) four times. Ruto will lose. He boasted that he is the one who owns central. Raila has gained access to central and when President Kenyatta will formally declare support for Raila, voters in the region will give him 80 per cent of their votes,” said Mr Kamanda.

Mr Kamanda warned those referring to Mr Odinga as a project of the state, saying this was disrespectful and abusive.

Mr Tuju said his party had already made a decision to back Mr Odinga’s bid, noting that Jubilee knows the secrets to forming a government.

“We don’t want western to be left behind. Jubilee is still alive,” said Mr Tuju.

Roots in central Kenya

Former Gatanga MP Mr Peter Kenneth said six out of the eight MPs in Murang’a County are now supporting Mr Odinga, a sign that the opposition chief had finally gained roots in central Kenya.

He warned Kenyans not to gamble by voting in a leader who would end up destroying the country because of greed for power.

“We don’t want this country to end up in the wrong hands. Raila is a humble leader who is ready to work with all Kenyans. If we give him a chance he will make a difference,” said Mr Kenneth.

On his part, Mr Wamalwa said Mr Odinga’s presidency will be a fulfilment of the prophecy by Elijah Masinde that western leadership will come through the lake.

Media mogul SK Macharia said he has stood with Mr Odinga for many years and remained with him even after others abandoned him.

He said his decision to back Mr Odinga was based on the political mood in the country and noted that he does not go wrong in the steps he takes.