Some Luhya leaders in Nairobi have dismissed Water CS Eugene Wamalwa’s bid for governor in the 2017 general elections.
They say the former Saboti MP is not sincere in his move.
“Eugene is advancing his own interest and of other people and not the Luhya community. As a community, he has never engaged us and we will not support him,” said Joshua Markunie, the leaders’ coordinator.
The leaders claim Wamalwa is being used to scuttle a power sharing deal the community signed with their Central region counterparts early this year.
Markunie said they had struck a deal with Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru, another Nairobi governor hopeful, and other leaders from Central on how to share political positions in the capital.
“We want to emphasise that our position has not changed and we have not seen any reason to change,” he said.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, Markunie, flanked by other leaders, said they agreed to be given deputy governor position, five MPs and 25 slots of the members of the county assembly.
Josephat Bukachi said the Luhyas have been given raw deal in Nairobi, which was why they sought to build a strong presence of the community in the city.
“Eugene should not destroy what is best for our community. Anyway, he is still a member of the cabinet and the law does not allow him to politic,” Bukachi said.
The CS’s interest in the city top job has elicited mixed reactions from different quarters.
While Nairobi MCAs and some MPs from Central Kenya have supported him, others, especially Nairobi MPs have criticised him, calling him an outsider.
Last week, he hinted at joining forces with former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru who has also expressed interest in the seat, to clinch the Jubilee ticket.
But Wanjiru dismissed any plan to form an alliance with the CS.
Other people who have expressed interested in the seat currently held by Cord’s Evans Kidero are Senator Mike Sonko, TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja and former Raila Odinga’s aide Miguna Miguna.
