Siaya Governor James Orengo has expressed concern after learning that the Luhya community plans not to field one of their own to vie for the presidential seat in 2027.
While speaking during the burial ceremony of the late former Lugari Member of Parliament, Cyrus Jirongo, on December 30, Orengo said he was shocked after hearing that Luhya leaders would not be vying for the top seat, but instead insisted that the Luhya and Luo communities must be included in the national cake.
Orengo further urged people from the Mulembe Nation against settling for the position of deputy instead of the presidency, warning that they may end up being sidelined while only seeking secondary positions.
“I am being told, and I’m shocked, that there is no Luhya who can stand for the President of the Republic of Kenya in 2027. A Luhya and a Luo must be on the table when Kenya is being discussed,” James Orengo said.
In addition to his concerns over the lack of interest among Luhya politicians in running for the presidential seat, Orengo noted that the country is heading in the wrong direction, where every community claims to be represented when one of their own holds a government position, such as a Cabinet minister.
Orengo said that this trend will kill Kenya’s democracy in the long run, urging citizens to stand firm against injustices from any government, noting that this is what the likes of Masinde Muliro fought hard for.
“Kuna kitu kinaendelea Kenya hii that is going to destroy us. Kila mahali mkienda mkipata waziri, mnasema mko kwa serikali… this is something which is killing our democracy,” Orengo added.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna insisted that the Luhya nation might field a presidential candidate as early as 2027, as opposed to 2032, which many leaders from the region have said they will wait for.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General asked for the support of Luhya leaders in case he runs for the presidential seat in the upcoming general election. He promised to return the favor in 2032.
“Hii jamii ya Mulembe tunataka kuwa kwa debe ya urais. Kwa sababu nyinyi mmesema mnangoja 2032, sisi tukiamua 2027 tunataka kuingia, tafadhali mtuunge mkono. 2032 ikifika, tutakuunga mkono,” Sifuna said.
