ANC, Ford-K, Jubilee party leaders demand apology over humiliation
Amani National Congress (ANC), Ford-Kenya and Jubilee party leaders in Kakamega want the government to apologise for mayhem and police brutality in Mumias and humiliation afforded to Luhya leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.
The leaders in separate press conferences charged that the Bukhungu BBI rally was not about law reforms in the country but a drive to ingrain ODM 2022 political line up but warned the scheme had emboldened a resolve to kick the party from the area.
The county ANC chairman Julius Arunga who flanked by Ford-K Eng. Hamisi Butichi said political forces from outside the region would not be allowed to set and dictate the political agenda of Western.
The officials said western region has unique political and economic issues to be addressed but would not want political brokers to get the government’s attention.
Butichi said discussion on new political alliances for the area that resonates against the general will of residents would be resisted, as “counties in Western are not an extension of the Lake Region counties and ODM attempts will be fought.”
The two parties also said public reactions at Bukhungu affirmed that residents recognised Mudavadi and Wetangula as their leaders and rebuked COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli for attempting to belittle them during the rally.
Earlier, former Kakamega senator Dr. Boni Khalwale said the push for the region’s economic emancipation was unstoppable.
“It is unfortunate that police broke our meeting in Mumias to discuss the economic interests of our people but a meeting to discuss the political agenda of ODM was allowed.”
He said President Uhuru Kenyatta owes residents of Mumias an apology for the police excesses that included brutality and destruction of property.
“Before proceeding to Nyanza to talk BBI, Kisumu port was reconstructed at Sh.3 billion. Khalwale said the government was taking the region for granted.
“Treasury released Sh.10 billion for the ailing dairy, coffee and tea sub-sectors to cushion farmers in Mt. Kenya region but sends us teargas when we want to discuss our ailing sugar industries.”
