Top Western politicians on Tuesday secretly met at a Nairobi hotel, in what is seen as an effort to consolidate the region’s vote ahead of the 2017 elections.
The leaders, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya), Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale (UDF) former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, however refused to disclose the agenda of the deliberations.
“We just met for breakfast,” Mudavadi said when asked by journalists.
Mudavadi during a press conference on Wednesday said “Yes we met wit the politicians and we shall meet again. We want to be able share ideas on various issues.”
The ANC leader said it was no harm meeting “his colleagues” in a hotel.
“These are my colleagues and I respect them and I would rather speak to them on what is good or bad in terms of ideologies,” he said.
The Star has learnt that the western Kenya politicians may be planning to field their own candidate for the Presidency.
The region had been considered a ‘safe’ ODM zone but this far-reaching political realignment could shake Cord leader Raila Odinga’s single largest vote bloc.
On July 30, a group of MPs from the region calling itself the Third Force entered the fray, calling for all political leaders from the larger Luhya community to rally behind one candidate in 2017.
The group led by former ODM secretary general Ababu Namwamba and Sirisia MP John Walukhe opened talks with Mudavadi, Wetang’ula and Jirongo to establish common ground to forge an alliance.
The three, all interested in running for President, would then agree to field one of them as the sole flag bearer for the region.
The caucus is also reaching out to firebrand Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli, who is leading a parallel initiative to unite Luyha leaders and forge a common agenda.
The aim is to bring Atwoli’s supporters into the Third Force fold.
