This archive report was first published on 29 December 2019.
On Thursday night, a meeting between opposition leader Raila Odinga and a group of legislators from Western Kenya took place at the home of Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli in Kakamega. The meeting, which was attended by several prominent leaders, including Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, aimed to discuss the region's political positioning ahead of 2022 and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.
According to Oparanya, the meeting will involve all leaders from the four counties in the former Western Province, namely Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Bungoma. The rally, scheduled for January 18 at Bukhungu Stadium, will focus on the expansion of the Executive with the introduction of a powerful Prime Minister post and two deputies.
Atwoli emphasized that the meeting will help identify individuals who will vie for elective positions in the region. He also dismissed the notion of Luhya unity being elusive, stating that the community is united and will prove it on January 18.
Meanwhile, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi has urged the people of Western to allow him to reach out to friends outside the region's borders in a bid to boost his chances of capturing the presidency. He emphasized the importance of extending a hand of friendship and brotherhood beyond Western.
