Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli assembled Western Kenya leaders at his Home in Kajiado on May 29, 2020, to discuss matters pertaining to the elusive Luhyia unity.
While it's not clear what transpired in the closed-door meeting, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has alleged that the gathering almost came to a standstill after tensions between two MPs almost led to a fistfight.
Taking to Twitter, Khalwale stated that the cause of the tiff was due to debacle surrounding seniority issues between an elected MP and his nominated counterpart.
The two MPs whose identities were not immediately revealed, are alleged to have argued over who would be more fit to serve in one of the committees in the National Assembly.
“Drama unfolded at Atwoli's residence when two MPs came close to a fistfight when the elected one objected to the nominated member getting preference for membership to a parliamentary committee. He argued that his colleague was a mere nominated MP,” Khalwale disclosed.
He added that the group could not agree on who would be the region’s kingpin in the 2022 power negotiations. The finals statement that was read by Senator Malala indicated that Atwoli, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya were picked to lead and represent the group.
Khalwale criticised Mr. Atwoli for organising many meetings which have not yielded are any results in as far as Luhyia unity is concerned.
“You have been on this Luhyia Unity project since Bukhungu-1, Kajiado residence-1, Bukhungu BBI, Kajiado residence-2 and we hear Bukhungu-2 is coming.
“They always come to nothing. We challenge you for the final settlement at a public rally at Muliro gardens,” Khalwale provoked.
As the meeting was going on, former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi was holding talks with former ministers Martha Karua, Sally Kosgei and Peter Kenneth.
The former Deputy Prime Minister was criticised for not being part of Atwoli’s meeting, with political analyst Herman Manyora arguing that his best bet was to work with the Cotu Secretary-General.
