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| Kenneth Marende was first elected Emuhaya MP in 2007 |
We have established that since the March 4 polls, a wide-range of political rendezvous have been taking place in the region which boasts the second highest voting bloc in the country with a view to assembling all the key political players into one formidable force. The 10-month old caucus brings together a host of both reknowned and emerging political actors from the four counties that comprise the former Western Province and Trans-Nzoia and Nairobi, namely: Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Busia.
The caucus is headed by prominent Vihiga politician Kennedy Butiko, who unsuccessfully contested the Vihiga County governor’s seat in the last General Election on an ODM ticket. He has said he will not take part in the impending ODM polls. Though the list is much larger, from Kakamega County the outfit has within its ranks familiar names such as Malava MP Moses Malulu Injendi of Maendeleo United Party, Bishop Titus Khamala of Cornerstone Ministries, former cabinet ministers Fredrick Amukowa Anangwe, Peter Soita Shitanda and Cyrus Jirongo, Lugari politician Charles Khakame Werangai, Martin Andati, and a Dr Ngome.
Bungoma County is represented by former Internal Security Assistant Minister Alfred Khangati, a Knut official identified as Sicheyi, Jack Wamboka, a Sunguti from Kimilili, journalist David Makali and one Mumbwani from Tongareni. On the other hand, Trans-Nzoia’s presence is in the persons of former Cabinet minister Noah Wekesa, Justina Sitti, Albert Gumo and one Wanyiro while those from Vihiga include Butiko, Marende, Hamisi MP Charles Gimose, and former MP Vincent Mmaitsi. Busia has Butula MP Onyula, lawyer Okova, businessman Mulanya frofrom Nambale, Catherine Omwayo from Matayos whereas Nairobi has former mayor George Aladwa, former Town Clerk Philip Kisia, AFC Leopards chairman Allan Kasavuli and activist John Shimoli.
While scouting for means of creating a political party, the group has a two-pronged approach to its modus operandi, the first being to get the Luhya community out of the political grip of Raila and second being to nurture a working rapport with the government of the day. Sources within the caucus told The People Sunday that after a careful study over a long period of time, its members had unanimously come to a conclusion that ODM was a wrong horse to continue riding given that it is only relevant to the political aspirations and personal interests of Raila Odinga.
They argue that while he was Prime Minister in the last government, Raila, whose deputy party leader was former Sabatia MP Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi, had no indication that he was ready to support any one from the Luhya community to lead the party and run for the presidency. Recent remarks by a cabal of Luo leaders that certain positions in the party belong to their community help to advance the argument of the caucus.
Though Marende himself has not come out clearly to state his stand on the matter, authoritative insiders divulged that his move to back out of the ODM elections to take a two-year reflection had been prompted by what they described as ‘wise counsel’ from top-notch members of the caucus who have been brainstorming over the matter for a considerable period of time. The personalities behind the move are said to have concurred that it was now apparent that the Luhya are a “miserable lot” both within the ruling Jubilee coalition and the opposition Raila-led Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord).
Marende has reportedly been counselled to be ready and willing to take up any government position should one be thrown his way as a way of creating a path through which his community can feel as comfortably accommodated in the present administration. While announcing last week that he would not run for any seat in ODM, Marende said that he had not been offered any job but would take one if given to him.
However, sources within the caucus told The People Sunday to “watch this space”, saying: “Do not be surprised to see Marende taking up a job at the Retirements Benefits Authority or as an ambassador.” Having already established structures, the group is now impressing upon the myriad political formations in the region to merge into one or disband all of them and found a singular homegrown outfit that will embrace all people resident in the region as is the case with other parts of the country.
Their view is that the current political parties with a presence in the region are “borrowed handbags” whose owners live far beyond the frontiers of Western Kenya. The “imported” parties they refer to Mudavadi United Democratic Forum (UDF), the Eugene Wamalwa-led New Ford Kenya (NFK), Ford Kenya of Bungoma senator-elect Moses Masika Wetang’ula and ODM. “These are parties with specific owners. We cannot use them to advance our course.
The faster our people come to realise this fact the better. We need to have one of our own just like Kambas have Wiper, Kikuyus have TNA, Kalenjins have URP and Luos have ODM,” said a leading light within the caucus. Apart from courting the party leaders, the caucus also intends to reach out to the respective Governors, Senators, Women’s Reps and MCAs, in a staggered manner with a view to having all of them on board by 2017.
“With over five million votes to start with, we are in a position to take the leadership of this country if we talk to other communities well or even negotiate with those in power. We have a massive voting bloc that we don’t take advantage of,” said one member. However, Bungoma Governor Ken Makelo Lusaka says while he fully supports the whole move, he would prefer the forum of convenors to be expanded to include the Council of Elders from the area so that “some of the egos of the egos of our brothers and sisters can be tamed.
We have a few fellows who believe that they own all the Luhyas and their word must always reign supreme. We need a method of containing such characters. Otherwise that is a very good idea to which I subscribe,” he said.
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