National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has called on politicians who ditched Ford Kenya to join him in his efforts to unite the western region.
Wetang'ula, who is also the Ford Kenya boss, asked the rebels, led by former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, to support his bid to unify the Luhya community.
Speaking at Kimukung' Primary School in Kanduyi Constituency during the burial of Cleophas Masinde, the Speaker said he had once assisted Wamunyinyi and his team in their political careers, and it was high time they reciprocated.
"I scratched your back when you lost the election in 2007, so it's your turn to scratch mine instead of hurling abuses at my leadership," said Wetang'ula.
A faction of Ford Kenya members led by Wamunyinyi and former Tongaren counterpart Eseli Simiyu decamped from the Wetangula-led party in November 2021 after protracted party wrangles.
On Saturday, Wetang'ula emphasised that development can only be achieved through unity among leaders, which is why he is championing for it.
Speaker Wetang’ula vowed to continue uniting all elected and non-elected leaders in the western region.
"Development can't be achieved through chest-thumping and abusing one another; it can only be realised through unity," he added.
He said Bungoma County had realised several development projects during the few years in government, which were poised to transform the lives of residents.
Among the key projects is the Nzoia World Water Project, which originates from Webuye.
"The government has invested Sh23 billion in this initiative to resolve the water scarcity issue and ensure that every household in Bungoma has access to clean water," said Wetang'ula.
He added that apart from the construction of Masinde Muliro Stadium, the government had opened up roads in Bungoma town and commenced the tarmacking of the Mayanja-Bisunu and Musese-Nalondo roads.
Wetang'ula further called on leaders across the country to refrain from dividing Kenyans along tribal lines.
He stressed the need for a nation where all citizens can travel freely and live harmoniously, building “one big happy family called Kenya.”
The Speaker underscored the collective aspiration of leaders to foster a united country that shares common values as one family.
