Kakamega ODM leaders sought to calm storm over Western BBI rally
Kakamega ODM leaders sought to calm a storm over the Western BBI rally slated for next week but ended up confirming fears the meeting will be a coronation for Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
Twenty three county assembly members drawn from the party addressed a presser yesterday and declared that though BBI was the ultimate agenda participants would be free to broach the coronation agenda for discussion and resolve it.
Asked if the divisive issue would be on paper, Kakamega deputy speaker Leonard Kasaya said the meeting would be free to discus and pick luhya spokesman but after concluding consultations on BBI agenda.
"Let nobody imagine that he hold us to ransom. Your record, the number of stadia, hospital and roads you've done shall determine our choice ," Kasaya charged.
The majority leader in the county assembly Joel Ongoro told those oposed to the Bukhunga meeting to keep off insisting it would proceed as planned with or without their participation.
The presser was called to dispel the negativity the Bukhungu meeting has earned among western leaders and residents, stirred by an announcement by governor Oparanya at the close of the year that a new luhya leader would be unveiled.
Yesterday the MCAs admitted that they too had not received copies of the BBI report but support it altogether as it is a product of the handshake between president Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Oparanya stoked political embers during a meeting hosted by COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli at his Khwisero home when he announced the January 18 date for coronation of luhya spokesman.
The move has divided the region's leadership and threatens to mar the BBI rally, with ANC, Ford Kenya and Jubilee party support vowing to stage a rival rally in Mumias.
