Politicians revive Luhya unity quest

Posted  Monday, October 27, 2014 |  by- NATION REPORTER

Cotu boss Francis Atwoli has been tasked with steering the agenda.

Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli addresses the media during a past press conference. FILE PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA |

Leaders have renewed efforts to identify a political kingpin for the Luhya community.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) boss Francis Atwoli has been tasked with steering the agenda.

The move is aimed at politically consolidating the community to improve its chances of producing a president.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula on Monday said legislators had been invited to a meeting at the Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega on December 22 to give proposals that would enable them to produce a presidential candidate for the next elections.

The Cotu secretary-general’s first assignment will be to chair a meeting to be attended by politicians from the region.

UDF leader Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), New Ford-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo are expected at the meeting.

Mr Savula disclosed the plan on Saturday during a funeral at Manyonyi Village in Lugari constituency.

The MP urged Mr Mudavadi, Mr Wetang’ula, Mr Wamalwa, Mr Jirongo and other leaders from the region to unite or forget about their presidential ambitions.

He said the leaders would be paraded at Bukhungu and asked to decide who becomes the regional flagbearer in the next elections.

Mr Atwoli said he harboured no political ambition, but was prepared to midwife unity among the leaders.

“Our work will be endorsing the person fronted by the rest.

“The Luhya community is united but lacks focused leadership,” said Mr Atwoli.