This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
Atwoli's Plan to Reclaim Luhya Leadership ¶
Francis Atwoli, Cotu secretary general, has announced plans to convene a meeting next year to decide the Luhya community's leader and political destiny.
Atwoli's move is aimed at countering Deputy President William Ruto's forays in the region, particularly in the Western region where the Luhya community is a significant voting bloc.
According to sources, Atwoli's plan is to marshal Luhya voters at the grassroots level and elect popular candidates who can represent them, rather than personal stomach leaders (PSL) who have dominated Luhya politics.
The meeting, dubbed Bukhungu 2, is expected to bring together Luhya leaders and politicians to decide on a unified leadership and political direction for the community.
Atwoli's move has been seen as a response to Ruto's efforts to plant multiple candidates in the region to split the opposition's traditional strongholds.
Atwoli has the support of new emerging firebrand youthful lawmakers and politicians who are opposed to the status quo in region politics.
Some of the politicians who have pledged their support to Atwoli include Senators Cleophas Malala and George Khaniri, MPs Godfrey Osotsi, Caleb Amisi, Tindi Mwale, and ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna.
Atwoli has also criticized the current crop of Luhya leaders, describing them as beggars, self-deceited, and visionless.
He has also dismissed the idea that the Luhya community can produce a president in 2022, citing the lack of credible leaders in the community.
