Cord leaders hold prayer rally for Wetang'ula in Kitale

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga speaks with area MP Aduma Owuor in Lisana during the installation of Nyakach Luo elder Ker Omollo Ka' Manyala (left) in Nyakach on October 30, 2015. Cord leaders Saturday a series of solidarity prayer rallies in support of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, whose political lifeline hangs in the balance after Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro gazetted a court finding that he bribed voters in the 2013 General Election PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP  

In Summary

• Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale accused Luhya leaders allied to the government of being behind “the scheme” to benefit financially.
• Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa accused the government of trying to make political decisions for the Luhya community with plans to force local residents to join the Jubilee Alliance Party.

By PHILIP BWAYO
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By RAPHAEL WANJALA
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Cord leaders Saturday a series of solidarity prayer rallies in support of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, whose political lifeline hangs in the balance after Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro gazetted a court finding that he bribed voters in the 2013 General Election.

The rally held in Kitale town saw leaders put the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on the spot demanding that it does not to give in to “pressure from the government” to deregister Mr Wetang’ula.

The Ford-Kenya leader said that the Commission would be applying double standards if it barred Mr Wetang’ula from elective politics yet it did not bar President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to vie in 2013 because of their charges of crimes against humanity.

WAMALWA DISTANCES HIMSELF

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale accused Luhya leaders allied to the government of being behind “the scheme” to benefit financially.

“We want Mr Eugene Wamalwa to tell us what he wants in this issue,” he said.

Separately, Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa poured cold water on the prayer rallies.

“Those dragging my name in this matter are misplaced because I had nothing to do with the court process,” Mr Wamalwa said while opening the Kitale Agricultural Society of Kenya Show. “Praying is too late.”

Senator Wetang’ula said that he would not be cowed by the voter deregistration strategy to tone down his vocal oversight role against the government, which he accused of massive graft.

“They should face the matter head-on instead of turning the heat on me,” he said.

JUBILEE MISCHIEF

Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu told the Sunday Nation: “...we want our people to know that Jubilee is up to mischief. Why would they hype this matter so much yet we have not exhausted our appeal options?"

Simiyu accused their rivals of accepting to be used by Jubilee “because they are afraid of the senator’s political prowess”.

Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa accused the government of trying to make political decisions for the Luhya community with plans to force local residents to join the Jubilee Alliance Party.

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka called on political leaders from the Luhya community to desist from playing the blame game.

Separately, Trans Nzoia County MP Janet Nangabo exonerated the Executive and leaders from the community from blame, saying that they had no control over the Judiciary or the Legislature.