Atwoli, elders differ over community’s spokesperson

The Abaluhya Community elders have opposed a planned meeting by Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, in Kakamega town to appoint a spokesperson for the community, further throwing the idea of Luhyia Community unity into disarray.

Led by the Maragoli sub-tribe elder, Peter Ludaava, his Wanga and Atachoni counterparts, Andrew Okumu and Burudi Nabwera, respectively, the elders argued that Atwoli’s meeting slated for Saturday, December 31, will put a strain on the unity of the Luhya Community in the run up to the 2017 General Election.

“A leader is not appointed by anyone, leaders just arise. Leadership is God given. Great leaders such as Elijah Masinde, no one appointed him him. Kijana Wamalwa and Masinde Muliro, they were not appointed. They all arose out of their hard work,” said Andrew Okumu, representing the Wanga sub-tribe in the Abaluhya elders forum.

“We are, therefore, not party to Atwoli’s meeting,” added Mzee Okumu.

Atwoli has, however, fervently defended his move arguing that the Luhya Community has for a long time exposed to unwarranted ridicule from political kingpins of other parts of the country due to lack of unity.

“It is quite evident that the Luhya community need unity more than ever before and we are tired of being called names and fought day and night by people who don’t even deserve such status,” Said Atwoli in a statement protesting dismissal of his unity idea.

Atwoli accused Bungoma Senator and Ford-Kenya leader, Moses Wetangula, for the rebellion saying he (Wetangula) has openly claimed that the idea is targeted at imposing leaders to the people of Western Kenya.

The COTU boss clarified that he has repeatedly sold his unity idea to various political leaders from the region, further reiterating his determination to see it come to fruition.

“I have never been alone in this initiative since in 2012 I flew Senator Moses Wetangula, Cyrus Jirongo and Hon. Musalia Mudavadi to the Maasai Mara where we held intensive consultations on how the community could identify one leader among them as its spokesperson,” Claimed Atwoli in the statement.

The community elders under the Abaluhya Elders Forum advised that politicians in the region to be left to sell their policies to the community and to other parts of the country, and eventually the one who would emerge strong would receive their blessings and the backing of the entire community.

COTU boss – Atwoli remained adamant to proceed with the meeting saying it is a democratic process further urging those who do not subscribe to his idea to stay away.

He expressed confidence that a widely accepted spokesperson of the community will be chosen at the Saturday’s Bukhungu Stadium event.