November 16, 2024

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Battle for the western vote as Wamunyinyi led party joins Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja

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By James Macharia

Former prime minister Raila Odinga and his former ally Musalia Mudavadi, as well as Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, have moved to wrest Western Kenya ahead of the 2022 general election.

Political pundits believe that the populous region has also attracted the attention of deputy president William Ruto who has declared interest to succeed Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Luhya community is the second most populous ethnic group in Kenya after the Kikuyu.

Analysts claim that Deputy William Ruto has decided to focus his attention on the Cord strongholds, among them Western Kenya.

KIVUMBI - Your trusted one-stop platform for Kenya's political news,  gossip, and analysis | kivumbi.co.ke

Raila Odinga and deputy president William Ruto have identified several people they plan to work with as they fight for the Luhya vote.

Those allegedly working with deputy president William Ruto from the region include MPs Malulu Injendi (Malava), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), John Waluke (Sirisia), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), and Dan Wanyama (Webuye West).

Others includes Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Moses Mabonga (Bumula), Charles Gimose (Hamisi), Elsie Muhanda (Woman Rep, Kakamega), Naomi Shiyonga (Nominated Senator), and former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.

On the other hand, former prime minister Raila Odinga is working with Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Defence cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Kakamega deputy governor Philip Kutima, MPs Justus Kizito (Shinyalu), Johnston Naicah (Mumias West), Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega Woman MP), Raphael Wanjala
(Budalang’i), Caleb Amisi (Sabot), Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos), Godfrey Osotsi (nominated) and Geoffrey Oundo of Butula.

Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula have been left stuck with few leaders from the region.

Moses Wetangula is banking on MP Chris Wamalwa, Millicent Anyango Abudho (Deputy party leader), Chris Mandu Mandu (National organising secretary), Chrisantus Wamalwa Wakhungu (Secretary general) and Nasri Ibrahim Salal as the national treasurer.

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Musalia Mudavadi on his part is banking on Lugari MP Ayub Savula and Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala who is said to be on his way out of the party.

During the launch of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya’s (DAP-K), Kanduyi lawmaker Wafula Wamunyinyi and his counterpart from Tongaren Eseli Simiyu were Tuesday named as Party Leader and Secretary-General respectively.

They announced that the party won’t field a presidential candidate but will support Raila Odinga candidature.

Key leaders who graced the DAP-K event were Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, his Agriculture counterpart Peter Munya, Busia Governor Sospeter Ojamoong and former minister Noah Wekesa.

The party is said to be associated with cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa who is said to be eyeing the Bungoma governor seat.

Scramble for the Luyha vote intensifies as pro-Raila group unveils regional  party » Capital News

Wamunyinyi and Simiyu had unsuccessfully attempted a coup within FORD-Kenya before bolting out with several branch officials to form a new party.

Wetangula recently issued a warning to Eugene Wamalwa to stop fielding the party battle.

The Bungoma senator claimed the CS has been meddling with Ford Kenya’s internal affairs.

He was speaking after a two-day induction workshop for the newly elected National Executive Council (NEC) at Elementaita Lodge in Nakuru County.

A reliable source has told the writer that, DAP-K has taken the structures of former new Ford Kenya that collapsed to form the Jubilee Party in 2017.