Nyanza leaders warned against tribal politics

Migori County Women Representative Denitah Ghati has accused a section of political leaders in the county of perpetuating ethnic politics out of bitterness from 2013 elections, where some communities did not vote for the dominant ODM party in the region.

Ghati said that tribes living in Migori County have enjoyed a harmonious relationship for decades, and warned politicians against dividing the people based on political affiliations.

Ms Ghati, who was speaking while drumming up support for Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga, condemned leaders for inciting people against each other for their own selfish interests, noting that Raila needs total support in the 2017 elections.

“We have noted that in 2013 everything did not go right. In 2017 all of us are standing united to ensure that Raila goes through,” she said.

There has existed a political skepticism between the two major communities in the county, Luo and Kuria, with the dominant Luo condemning the Kuria of political betrayal for voting for the Jubilee Government in the last General Election.

In his numerous forays in the region, CORD leader Raila Odinga has assured the Kuria Community of their position in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party despite delivering more votes to the Jubilee Government in 2013.

Mr Odinga met elders from the Kuria Community to seek their support for his 2017 presidential bid.

Raila and his ODM Party are keen to consolidate votes from the Nyanza region in the 2017 elections.

Written by Moses Ngugi