On Wednesday, Luhya leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto clashed on how to handle the DP ahead of 2022 elections.
While some staunchly supported him stating that they will vouch for him unconditionally, others wanted to be guaranteed key positions first.
Former Sports CS, Rashid Echesa, Navakholo MP, Emmanuel Wangwe and Sirisia MP, John Walukhe, who recently apologised to Raila Odinga over tribal remarks, led the pack demanding a negotiated deal that will guarantee the community key positions in the next government if the DP wins the election.
“I proposed that the Luhya community produce a running mate for Ruto. This is a matter we have discussed as MPs backing the DP and I don’t think there is anything wrong with it. Campaigns are going on every day and if we were to wait until 2021, we could be overtaken by events,” Walukhe argued.
However, the other group, spearheaded by Kimilili MP, Didmus Barasa, argued that it would be premature to start pushing for negotiations on the issues as upcoming events like the referendum could change the entire political landscape, ahead of the next polls.
“We want to support Ruto unconditionally and intensify campaigns in Western to ensure the Luhya community switches its support from Raila Odinga to the DP," he stated.
DP Ruto has been on several trips to the western region in a bid to seal the area and consolidate support ahead of 2022.
Several leaders have jumped ship, including former Kakamega Senator, Boni Khalwale.
Khalwale is among the leaders who also unconditionally pledged their support for Ruto.
'We do not want to send mixed signals about our support for the DP since he is the clear favourite for the presidency in 2022," Khalwale previously stated.
