Support Luhya unity, Western MPs tell Raila

A section of Members of Parliament from the Western region have called on CORD leader Raila Odinga to support efforts by Luhya community to unite ahead of the 2017 elections.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and Matungu MP David Were said the Luhya community has been supportive of Raila’s past presidential bid, adding that it is time for him to do the same.

Speaking during a fundraising meeting in Matete, the MPs faulted Raila for claiming Mulembe unity was a fallacy, stating that his utterances amounted to disrespect of the community.

“Raila should thank Luhyas for voting for him in past elections instead of frustrating efforts by Luhya leaders to unite the community,” said Savula.

Wangwe, in his address, called on the CORD leader to apologize to the Luhya community for utterances made during his tour of Western saying failure to that he would mobilise the community not to vote for him in the 2017 General Election.

Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and Matungu MP David Were claimed that they were staunch ODM members but had to quit.

The leaders further drummed up support for the Jubilee Government saying it was the party of choice.

The remarks by the leaders come just a week after Raila’s tour of Western region as he sought to consolidate his support ahead of next polls.

During the tour, Raila called on the Luhya community to unite behind ODM and resist overtures by the Jubilee Government.

“What the government is trying to do with the projects it’s launching is to hunt for votes. It is important for Western region to resist such attempts,” he said.

It is the rubbishing of Western unite, however, that has rubbed leaders from the region the wrong way, with most of them saying the remarks were belittling to the Luhya community.

Raila had claimed an effort by former ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba and his team to unite the region behind one leader as futile, saying the move is aimed at dividing the region.