President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with a section of Western Kenya leaders at State House, Nairobi, in what is viewed as a move to counter the earthquake coalition launched on Sunday by the Amani National Congress (ANC) leader, Musalia Mudavadi.
The President hosted leaders from Western Kenya, on Tuesday, January 25, in a move that is largely seen as a way to counter Deputy President William Ruto's influence in the region.
Notably, the President met the Western Kenya delegation led by Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, where he highlighting the development projects undertaken by his administration in the region.
He assured the leaders of the government's commitment to ensure all ongoing development projects in the region are completed as scheduled.
During the meeting attended by CS Wamalwa and Governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati (Bungoma), Wilbur Ottichillo (Vihiga) and Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), the leaders thanked the President for his commitment to the region.
Further, they thanked the President for the various development projects which they noted had transformed the lives and wellbeing of the people of Western Kenya.
"The leaders particularly thanked President Kenyatta for his timely intervention that led to the de-gazettement of Chetambe Hills as a national forest reserve," a statement by State House Spokesperson, Kanze Dena, read in part.
"The enforcement of the July 2021 gazettement of the heavily-settled 406-acres of land would have led to the displacement of over 10,000 residents of Maraka and Mihuu Wards in Webuye East Constituency, Bungoma County."
Political pundits opine that the meeting was a move by Uhuru to mobilize the leaders to support the Azimio La Umoja movement following the alliance between Mudavadi and DP Ruto.
After Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula agreed to work with the Deputy President, the trio announced joint campaigns which will kick off in Nakuru.
"We have had an in-depth discussion with my brothers and we have agreed that Kenya is greater than any one of us. We will make whatever sacrifices need to be made so that we consolidate Kenya and take it to the next level.
"We are also acutely clear that this will take the hand of God and the people of Kenya. We are going to walk this journey with many Kenyans. I would like to announce that the journey to bring this country has started at Bomas. The next stop will be Wednesday in Nakuru County and then Friday in Western Kenya and then Saturday in Central Kenya," stated Ruto.
Mudavadi affirmed that he would not consider a partnership with his former National Super Alliance (NASA) principal and current Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga.
