By Khaguli Nandwa Maurice

Western Kenya Movement For Change- (W.K.M.C.-Diaspora)

(Toronto)

What the Luhya people need is strong social, economic and political planning to make them equal partners in sharing the “National Cake.” Not lobbyists for the crumbs that remain when the party is over. Hon. Mudavadi, even after twenty plus years in politics has not proved that he is ready to die for his people. He is not half the politician his late father was. His father’s development record is still unmatched to today.

Other Luhyas who aspire for leadership of the Luhya community such as Ababu, Jirongo, Wetangula, Wakoli, and Wako have little or no record of developing the community. I do not consider having more than one wife and a litany of concubines’ community development.

Authentic leadership is badly needed for the Luhya community to get its share of the “National Cake.” We need a leader who will not beg, but demand what is ours, bring it home and let it be seen to improve the community. Unity is the first step in achieving this goal. Hon. Mudavadi is too afraid of confrontation to get us what we need. We all know that bullies only back off when you fight back. What fight has Hon. Mudavadi been involved in? Where are the scars and bruises he has received defending Luhyas? Now he says he wants the Presidency in 2012, but he will accept defeat. We are tired of playing second fiddle and we want a leader who will not fathom defeat.

Hon. Mudavadi’s political paradigm needs an overhaul / total make over before he can aspire for that seat. He has not proved that he will protect the Luhya people with every resource he can marshal. He does not make any statements that go against the grain for fear of disappointing his masters. Even novices like Ababu have made their mark in one year. Fighting for your rights will make other people uncomfortable and at times angry, but that is the only way people understand that you will not be cowed down. Hon. Mudavadi is simply not as resolute as he needs to be if he is going to lead the Luhyas and there after Kenya.

Every New day for most Kenyans brings hope. In Western Kenya it is a bitter reminder of the failure of our leaders to deliver on their promises. Luhya people need Healthcare, Infrastructure, and Employment. That is why they have supported self-determination and a Majimbo Constitution. Luhyas were in Majimbo during independence as the late Muliro, Ronald Ngala and Daniel Arap Moi saw it at that time.

Tribal hegemony, and goodies in the form of tribal districts dished out by Kibaki are being witnessed on daily basis. When the so called elected leaders are seen begging and clapping like intoxicated sycophants whenever the President goes to Western, do they realize how embarrassed we are of them. What we do not see time and time again is any of the promises made being followed through by our leaders.

There’s no single politician who has ever challenged the President or the Prime Minister about road and rail repairs, the rehabilitation of health institutions such as Mukumu, Kaimosi, Musikhu, Mumias or even the building of new hospitals. No single politician including Hon. Mudavadi has taken his or her homeland seriously. You can only see these politicians streaming into western whenever the President or the PM visits. No one is addressing the issue of Majimbo.
Who wants districts in western? Why can’t the president go and give such goodies to his people in Central? Why waste taxpayer’s money on useless buildings for the district administration? We know that these people who come to staff those offices come to collect taxes to benefit certain politically correct areas. You will find that even non-technical jobs will be given to people from outside Western. So how does this benefit us?

Hon.Mudavadi has been slumbering and cannot push Luhya issues. He has not condemned the recent killings of innocent Luhyas in Mount Elgon. Our Sugar Factories are mired in mounting problems that are about to choke them out of existence, but is he saying anything? No! Our roads are impassable in most of the Jimbo, but is he doing anything? No! People are dying of hunger because some people are exporting Maize meant to feed his people, but is he saying anything? Hell no! He only visits western only when the PM is visiting presumably to avoid anybody else appearing to be closer to the PM than him. It may also be because Hon. Mudavadi needs Raila to introduce him to his own people. This further proves that he is a good “Toto jikoni.”

Who is he fooling around this time? We already know the plan to hoodwink the people of western as they can see our men in the Diaspora working hard for Luhya interests. No Luhya will unite the tribe without both conflict and its resolution there after. Only leaders who have survived conflict will be able to get the Luhya people to the proverbial “promised land.” Hon. Mudavadi has not survived any conflict, let alone get involved in any. Remember every time we celebrated independence, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta reminded us that we fought for independence. It was not just given to us. If Hon. Madavadi is waiting to be given the presidency, he is dreaming.

Our heritage as honest and hard working people is world renown. Why haven’t those values translated into Economic success? We have highly educated professionals that are trusted to run multinational Conglomerates, but this has not translated into us being able as a people to manage our own businesses. During the violence that followed the stolen elections, the Luhya people are the only ones that gave Kikuyus a chance to leave their properties alive. For this, the Kikuyus owe us this one time. They must prove that they are willing to play second fiddle to a loyal partner before they can ever get our support again.

We need a radical change in our politics, to achieve the unity and organization that the other tribes have, before they can trust us to lead them. The era of impunity and pride must be replaced by one of humble service to the community and accountability by all in public office. Unity is a must, not an option. Our new leaders must be resolute and solid in defense of our people. Anything short of this is not acceptable.

Our ideas should be redistributed to our people to meet the challenges of tomorrow, and the stiff competition within Kenyan society. The Luhya people can’t distinguish between political professionalism and leadership by analyzing the modern jobless problems in the jimbo. This has spiraled from only 61% to 75%. In simple terms, this means that for every Luhya adult, (18yrs and above) that has a job there are three without a job. This is worse than the situation that caused the French Revolution yet we are still waiting for good for nothing politicians to bail us out.

Now is the time, not tomorrow, not next election. All Luhyas must rise and take what is theirs. Our share of the National Cake must come to us or the current leaders must be taken out of office so that Leaders ready to die for their people can take up this mantle and deliver us from bondage. Humility should only be given on a reciprocal basis. You don’t keep smiling to somebody who is choking you. That is the height of insanity. Break the chains of bondage and engage those claiming they can lead.

Hon. Mudavadi was a finance minister, Vice president, and a non-stop full flagged minister since he joined politics and now he is a Deputy Prime Minister. Can he convince the Luhya people that he is going to be an effective President? Hey, Hon. Mudavadi, leadership is about service and results, not about inheritance and stature. You have not proved that you merit the privileges that were bestowed on you by your father’s friend, President Moi.

Hon. Mudavadi has no vision. I see a sinister move and of cause, we see outsiders infusing an agenda to whittle the challenges that are incoming from our well compounded; goal oriented; fiercely loyal; Majimbo focused and well exposed intellectuals in the Diaspora. It is too late Hon. Mudavadi and Hon. Wetangula. The writings are on the wall and however much you try, come 2012 there will be no surprises. You will be history.

Unity will give voice to virtues of failed sub-tribe interest and it will provide distilled, articulate political future in the modern Luhya community. Every Luhya is an equal beneficiary of the legacies left by Wamalwa, Muliro, and Elijah as they struggled the special destiny that we all need.

LERO LUNO!