Unite us, Bungoma politicians tell church leaders

Written by Rosemary Wachiye and Nandemu Barasa 2011-07-31 13:23:00 Read 294 Times

Dr. Noah Wekesa (L) and Moses Wetangula (2nd R) at a past event. The call for Luhya unity has gone a notch higher as political leaders from the region now want the church to intervene. Speaking at the funeral of Mr. Joseck Wasike, the father to Mr. Abiud Wasike a Commissioner with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC), Dr. Eseli Simiyu decried the lack of unity among leaders in Bungoma County adding that it was the reason for the infamous post election violence in 2007. The Kimilili MP said that leaders are divided hence there has never been a president from this area. He also blamed President Kibaki’s kitchen cabinet fro disunity in parliament caused by their poor advice to the president leading to people taking different sides. He challenges elders and religious leaders to help bring about unity in politics despite the different parties and affiliations. He challenged them to rise to the occasion and summon all the leaders and make sure unity is achieved for the good of the region in economic development. Speaking at the same function, Bumula Member of Parliament Wakoli Bifwoli (L), echoed Dr.Eseli’s sentiments on disunity among political leaders blaming citizens for not being straight forward with the leaders they elect in telling them their mistakes whenever they go wrong. “Whenever as a politician I go wrong no one is brave enough to tell me because I have money and even when am wrong, once I give out cash am always praised,” he said. Wakoli challenged the locals to always challenge their leaders whenever they are wrong arguing that was the only way they can get justice and good service from their leaders and not just to focus on handouts from politicians. On his part, Sirisia Member of Parliament Moses Wetangula told citizens and his fellow political leaders to support the leaders so that they could register positive results saying that the continued negative pressure and abuses directed upon leaders makes them perform dismally. “I want to urge you citizens to offer support to their leaders to enable them perform because with negative pressure you are pulling us down,” said Wetangula. The Minister of Wildlife and Forestry Dr.Noah Wekesa who also attended the funeral, stated that all political parties should come together before the forthcoming election in 2012 to elect one candidate that will go for the presidency. “As usual the different parties will come together and select one candidate that will take up the fight for presidency in the forthcoming elections,” said Wekesa. The Bishop of Anglican Church of Kenya Mr. Eliud Wabukala who was officiating at the funeral at the Kamusinga village in Kimilili Division, said that there must be unity amongst all political leader s vying for different seats in the 2012 elections. He urged leaders to stop fighting among themselves and have respect for each other adding that leadership was from God and need to be respected. Other dignitaries who attended to pass their condolences were West Fm Chairman Dr. George Masafu, IIEC Coordinator Western Province Patrick Odame, Ministry of Livestock Permanent Secretary Mr. Ken Lusaka among others.