Drama as Mudavadi, Wetangula gatecrash Raila’s BBI rally
Luhya political supremos Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula made a surprise entry at the Bukhungu Stadium for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally amid pomp and drama much to the satisfaction of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
Mudavadi and Wetang’ula, who faced a barrage of verbal attacks from COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, arrived moments after other guests, including governors and Raila had taken their seats.
The rally was temporarily stopped as organisers scrambled to accommodate the two leaders at the dais.
More drama soon ensued when Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, who was the master of ceremony, asked Wetangula, the Ford Kenya party leader, to address the meeting before the governors.
That move was resisted prompting Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati to take over from Malala, thereafter invited the governors to speak followed by Wetangula and Mudavadi.
Raila said BBI is for inclusivity and had been concerned about the absence of Mudavadi and Wetangula at the meeting.
“Why is it that we have a new Constitution that is not working?” asked Raila, urging Kenyans to look at the document in totality.
Addressing the rally, both Wetangula and Mudavadi insisted that they had never opposed the BBI as suggested by a section of the rally conveners but only insisted that the recommendations reflect the wishes of the masses.
Mudavadi accused some unnamed leaders of weaponising the BBI report and using it to divide the country through propaganda.
The Ford Kenya Party leader emphasized the need for a constitutional guarantee on proportional representation in government for appointments on the basis of population quota of Kenyan communities.
Wetangula was visibly agitated by reports that his support for the Mumias rally was misinterpreted as support for Tanga Tanga political formation. The Bungoma senator said that the Luhya nation expects the government to react to the economic fall of the sugar and maize industries and unemployment in the region.
He said the region’s leadership was united and threats and propaganda only help to cement it, adding outsiders should respect the Luhya community leaders.
“Even if you are so rude, you cannot caress someone’s wife before him…You cannot shit on his door and expect him to clap for you.”
