Don’t allow outsiders divide us ahead of 2027 - Wetang’ula

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged leaders and residents in Western to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said a divided Western will work to the advantage of other regions and block us from forming the next government.

“What we have lacked as a region, for a very long time, is the ability to stand united,” Wetang'ula said.

“Let us all come together because when you meet our brothers from Mount Kenya, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Ukambani, they all speak one language but when you come to Western, this is where democracy lives.”

He spoke on Sunday during a fundraiser to complete Malaba Catholic Church.

The fundraiser, hosted by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, was attended by 11 MPs from the region.

The MPs included Nabii Nabwera (Lugari), Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Joseph Okoth (nominated, MDG) and John Makali (Kanduyi).

Others were Joseph Oyula (Butula), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Malulu Injendi (Malava), Emmanuel Wang’we (Navakholo) and John Waluke (Sirisia).

Three months ago, Wetang'ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, in a rare show of unity led Kenya Kwanza and Azimio leaders from Western in settling their political differences.

The event was held at Ishikhulu Primary School in Shinyalu constituency on September 24.

The unity drive came amid calls for patience as the government struggles to deal with the high cost of living.

They emphasised the importance of unity in shaping the region’s future.

Wetang'ula called out leaders whom he said are “sowing seeds of discord” between him and Mudavadi.

“Musalia and I are working together and we will not allow negative voices to divide us,” he said.

“Our collective vision has helped reshape the political landscape and to forge a new trajectory together.”

Western region has five counties namely, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia.

“It is only during elections that we speak different languages.  How can we lead this country with this kind of division?” Wetang'ula asked.

“I want us to be together. When people pursue a common interest, they have to be united. Our people have no problem, the problem is with our leaders who allow outsiders to divide us."

He said unity will help the leaders to easily solve the region's problems.

“Mudavadi’s vulnerabilities complement my strengths and vice versa. This reinforces the notion that unity is needed for transformative change,” he said.

Kaunya urged the Speaker to capitalise on his influence in government to expand Malaba-Kanduyi highway.

“The highway experiences congestion because of the trailers that carry goods to Uganda and East Africa," he said.

"We are concerned with the government's inaction to deal with the situation that has caused accidents."

Wang’we asked the government to investigate the mess created in the 2023 KCPE results and charge those found culpable.