Politicians from Western region have suffered a setback following the move to ban state officials and civil servants from participating in harambees.
The leaders under Western Parliamentary Caucus, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, have been holding fundraisers in the region in what was seen as part of a wider scheme by the Ford Kenya leader to consolidate the Luhya community ahead of the 2027 elections.
The leaders from across the political divide have held a series of harambees in Busia, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties in recent months.
Harambees are a tradition deeply ingrained in the community to pool resources to support various causes. It has been an effective tool for political engagement and community mobilisation and development.
The caucus had successfully held fundraisers in Navakholo, Luanda, Malava, Ikolomani, Butula, Shinyalu, Kabuchai, Sabatia and Lugari constituencies by the time of the ban.
President William Ruto banned state officials and civil servants from participating in fundraisers in a bid to tame the runaway corruption.
Wetang’ula was hoping to leverage on harambees to achieve the elusive unity of Luhya leaders ahead of the next general election.
Caucus chairman and Sirisia MP John Waluke said the group wants to bring development and will stick together and prepare to take over the presidency in 2032.
The lawmaker said the proposal is discriminatory as people who do not fall in the category of state officers or civil servants and are eyeing political seats will start conducting harambees at the detriment of sitting MPs.
“The ban will not deter us from conducting fundraisers. If an MP wants the caucus to help him bring development to his constituent, we shall go and help him or her," Waluke said.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who is the caucus secretary, said the ban will not in any way kill their vision as lawmakers to bring development in the region.
"That is so interesting. Was the caucus formed to do harambees only? The caucus is involved in so many other initiatives outside media. It is more vibrant in the new dispensation," he told the Star.
Earlier, Bumula MP Jack Wamboka had dismissed the ban on harambees at a fundraiser in Webuye East to support women and youth groups, describing the declaration a nullity.
He argued that the involvement of MPs, governors and other state officials in fundraisers was due to the government’s failure to deliver on its campaign promises.
“Fundraisers have helped uplift families’ living standards. I participate in fundraisers not because I love doing it but because I feel what our people are going through. The little coins we combine can help boost women’s businesses in Bungoma and beyond,” Wamboka said.
"The ban automatically poses a challenge to the politicians ability to connect with their constituents and galvanise their support base," political analyst Daniel Nyangweso said.
Political analyst Byrone Ochieng said MPs will now start using proxies to channel their contributions to harambees to dodge the law.
He said the declaration to ban fundraisers is only trying to treat the symptoms but not the real problem the country is facing of rampant corruption in government.