By Our Correspondent
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has announced a joint political initiative with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya aimed at uniting the Luhya community ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Mr Wetang’ula said the three leaders had agreed to offer collective leadership as a foundation for strengthening the community’s influence in national politics.
“If we are serious about uniting our people, we must first unite ourselves,” he said.
The Speaker spoke at Seregeya village in Likuyani, Kakamega County, at the home of the late former Likuyani MP Dr Enoch Wamalwa Kibunguchy, where he led leaders in condoling with the bereaved family.
He said the initiative would be expanded to include leaders across the Western region, noting that political unity was key to enhancing the region’s bargaining power.
Mr Wetang’ula, who serves in President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, said leaders from the region were mobilising support for the President’s re-election, arguing that cooperation with the current government would benefit Western Kenya in the long term.
He added that the Luhya community could position itself for future leadership if it remained united, including the possibility of producing a presidential candidate after President Ruto’s tenure.
The Speaker also mourned the deaths of businessman and former Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo and former Likuyani MP Dr Kibunguchy, both of whom died during the festive season.
He urged political leaders and young people to maintain decorum during funerals, warning against disorder and heckling at burial ceremonies.
“Funerals should be places of dignity and respect, not political confrontation,” he said.
Mr Wetang’ula also highlighted development projects underway in the Western region, including the resumption of construction at the Kakamega Level Six Hospital and proposed plans for a similar facility in Bungoma County.
He said the projects would improve healthcare access and reduce referrals to Eldoret and Nairobi.
Other projects cited included road upgrades and the settlement of long-standing dues owed to former Pan Paper employees.
Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe said he had completed projects initiated by Dr Kibunguchy as a mark of respect.
Kanduyi MP John Makali and Webuye East MP Martin Pepela called for unity among leaders from the region, saying cohesion was necessary to honour the legacy of leaders who had advocated for Luhya political unity.
Mr Jirongo will be buried on December 30 at his Lumakanda home in Bungoma County.