Musalia, Wetang'ula clash with Atwoli over planned Luhya meeting to 'endorse' Raila

A political showdown is looming in the Luhya nation after key leaders of the community openly differed with Cotu boss Francis Atwoli's plan to hold a rally at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County to give the vote-rich region ‘direction’ ahead of next year's General Election.

Mr Atwoli has indicated that rally will be held on December 31, in what has been interpreted as a scheme to endorse ODM leader Raila Odinga.

On Sunday, during the 40th Maragoli cultural festival at Mbale Municipal Grounds in Vihiga County, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula openly voiced their resents to Mr Atwoli's plans.

The two spoke as Mr Atwoli hosted Mr Odinga at his rural home in Khwisero, Kakamega County on Boxing Day.

Mr Odinga arrived at Mr Atwoli's home in Ebukwala village around 2pm accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and MPs Christopher Aseka (Khwisero), Peter Nabulindo (Matungu), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani) and Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega County).

They were later joined by Ayub Savula (Lugari), Chris Omulele (Luanda) and Omboko Milemba (Emuhaya).

Mr Nabulindo, Aseka, Savula and Milemba are ANC members while Mr Atwoli is a close ally of Mr Odinga and has been drumming support for the latter's presidential bid.

The leaders were locked in a closed-door meeting for the better part of the day. 

Two weeks ago, Mr Atwoli said the planned Bukhungu meeting will give the community a political direction ahead of the next polls.

On Sunday, however, Mr Mudavadi said he will not attend the much publicised rally and called on the community not to accept to be divided.

The ANC leader claimed that Mr Atwoli is keen on killing the ambitions of young Luhya leaders.

"Kenya is at the crossroads. We are killing the leaders we created. We cannot afford to be divided this time round," Mr Mudavadi said.

"I will not go to Bukhungu on December 31. Atwoli is not seeking any votes but he is telling us he will determine who should be elected," Mudavadi added.

On his part, Mr Wetang'ula wondered how the Cotu boss will give the community a direction yet he has never been elected

"We have been taken for a ride for many years. We have been good and generous to the other communities but gotten little in return. A good turn deserves another. Some of those we supported are now working with Atwoli who has never been elected. We want to tell Atwoli that enough is enough and we will stop him," he said.

The Ford Kenya leader said he is working closely with his ANC counterpart as part of a plan to hold the community together. 

He assured their supporters that the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) is a growing political outfit that has since brought on board Narc-K leader Martha Karua, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.

During the well attended event in Vihiga, Kakamega Senator Mr Cleophas Malala said Mr Atwoli's planned meeting will flop since it lacks the blessing of Luhya leaders.

"Their plan is rally the Luhya community behind Raila. We will only take what our leaders will tell us but no one should take us back to Raila," he said.

Sabatia MP Mr Alfred Agoi and Vihiga Woman MP Mrs Beatrice Adagala said Atwoli's plans are going against the interest of the community.

"Let us remain united. We have our own leaders in Mudavadi and Wetang'ula. We should not listen to anyone else," said Mr Agoi.

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