Mudavadi, Wetangula in Kakamega Show of Might [VIDEO]

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi.
Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi.
File

Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi on Sunday, July 5, addressed the infamous age-old stereotype that members of the Luhya community, which he belongs to, gravitate more towards occupations such as being cooks and security guards.

Addressing a gathering in Kakamega County alongside Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula, Mudavadi explained why he personally accepted the stereotype.

He brought up the matter while addressing the down-turn in economic fortunes in Western Kenya due to the collapse of sugar millers and other industries.

ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula in a meeting with ANC and Ford Kenya MPs on June 12, 2020
ANC Party leader Musalia Mudavadi and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula in a meeting with ANC and Ford Kenya MPs on June 12, 2020
File

Mudavadi argued that the stereotype that Luhyas were cooks was drawn from the fact that Western Kenya was a key part of the country's food basket and therefore fed the nation.

"Kamotho (John) said we are cooks and watchmen. I say 'yes we are' because when you are cooks you are feeding the nation. Western Kenya was the granary of this country when it comes to food.

"What has happened to our economy is to the extent that we cannot feed people the way we used to feed them. We must restore our pride as the cooks of Kenya," he stated.

He further stated that he accepted the watchman stereotype because he saw the community and its leaders as defenders for Kenyans against theft and mismanagement of public funds and resources.

The ANC party leader wondered aloud why the fortunes of the region seemed to have dwindled, insisting that it was time for change as he talked up his planned 2022 Presidential bid.

"When they say we are watchmen 'I say yes', we are watchmen. We are watchmen because we want to safeguard the resources of Kenya because people are plundering the resources of this country. We want to be watchmen," he asserted.

Mudavadi and Wetangula's arrival in Kakamega town had earlier caused a stir as a large convoy snaking through the streets caught the attention of area residents.

Speaking at the gathering that followed, Wetangula slammed governors from the region and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa who were lobbying the national government to undertake various projects and complete stalled ones.

Referencing President Uhuru Kenyatta's gifting of a team bus to Nzoia Sugar FC at a ceremony attended by five governors, Wetangula advised the governors to request for more meaningful projects.

"We would clap for them if they told the President trucks headed to Uganda are stuck, stretching for 40 kilometres in Malaba and Busia. We would clap for them if they told the President we wanted a dual-carriage road from Nairobi to Malaba, and from Mau Summit to Busia.

"They should have told them that road projects they initiated in their first term have stalled. Instead, five governors and a Cabinet Secretary are going to beg for a bus," he remarked.

Leaders who attended the bus hand-over at Uhuru's Harambee House office on July 1, included Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans-Nzoia).

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli was also present at the event during which Uhuru gave a donation of Ksh2 million to support the football club.

President Uhuru Kenyatta signing a ball after meeting with leaders from Western Kenya on July 1, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta signing a ball after meeting with leaders from Western Kenya on July 1, 2020.
PSCU