By Anderson Ojwang
The death of former Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo could not have come at a worse time or in a worse manner, but his burial last week in Kakamega became a turning point in Luhya community politics.
It marked the Luhya renaissance, the sleeping giant finally waking up to the reality of its prominence at the country’s political table of power and strategically demanding its rightful slot.
In what former President Uhuru Kenyatta termed at the burial as “Kenya has lost another president, the president that never was,” the words reverberated at every corner of the tent and across the Luhya community and the country.
“As a county, we have lost a president. He had the capacity to be the president of Kenya,” he said.
Leaders from the community revealed that Jirongo had marshalled sizeable resources for a stab at the presidency in the 2027 general election, a move that rekindled the community’s journey to the presidency.
In what could be termed a subtle Jirongo declaration, the community was in unison in its demand to be at the table of the national cake, with Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya declaring that he was ready to leave ODM to ensure Luhya unity and ascension to the presidency.
“Jirongo tried to unite the Luhya community. Whenever I met him, he would talk to me about Luhya unity. One day I asked him if I was the problem and the impediment to unity.
Because I am in ODM, if I am the obstacle, I am ready to leave the party, as the deputy party leader at that time, to unite the community and form a single political party.
We have three Luhyas who are party leaders of political parties: Eugene Wamalwa, Moses Wetangula and Musalia, but he dissolved his party. These are the party leaders. Let me say this: I am ready to leave ODM to unite the Luhya community.
I know if we come together, we are the sleeping giant in this country,”he said.
Top Luhya leaders, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, appeared subdued, and mourners even trickled out when Musalia rose to speak.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, who failed to read the mood of the mourners and the community, was forced to cut short his speech after the crowd booed and jeered him.
The charged and fiery youthful community leaders have masterminded a coup against the traditional political leaders in the community and have become the new sheriffs in Luhya land.
This was a significant moment for the Luhya community and, for President William Ruto and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the community could be fast slipping away from their grasp.
Ruto’s allies are under siege from youthful leaders from the region who want to call the shots and have been on overdrive to woo residents into their bloc.
For ODM, wrangles now pit the party leader Dr Oburu Odinga-led wing, coalescing around national party chairperson Gladys Wanga, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Junet Mohamed, against party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, deputy party leader Geoffrey Osotsi and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Recently, the Luhya Council of Elders asked the party leadership to resolve any differences, noting that the community also has a stake in the party.
The leaders said that since independence, the Luhya community has been used by some leaders to ascend to the presidency and later relegated to the dustbin.
“Since 1963, people have used Luhyas and forgotten the voters. I have heard our senior leaders saying that in 2027 we will not have a presidential candidate. We want a Luhya presidential candidate in 2027. Luhyas, do you want to wait for 2032 or 2027?
Let us be honest. If two people who are inside the government start to eat, they think all Luhyas are also eating. In the 2027 presidential election, Luhyas will present a candidate.
Recently, the President was in Kiambu, where he launched road construction worth Sh5 billion, but in Luhya land they are for Sh100 million,” they said.
Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale said Luhya unity was unstoppable and that anyone seeking to negotiate with the community must lay their cards on the table.
“If Ruto wants Luhyas to support him in 2027, he must come afresh on fresh terms, and that is not disrespect. Now he is making terms with the Luo and the Kikuyu.
How come, from nowhere, Musalia says we are supporting Ruto? Where did you agree with the Luhya community?” he said.
Vihiga Senator Geoffrey Osotsi said the huge Luhya community’s investment in ODM could not be taken for granted.
“We are in ODM to stay and nobody will throw us out. We are not cowards. We have invested in this party from 2007 to date,” he said.
Edwin Sifuna said, “The Mulembe nation must be on the presidential ballot in 2027. We ask you, Wetangula and Mudavadi, to support us on that.”
Eugene Wamalwa said Jirongo was a uniting factor in the community and that, in his honour, they would present a candidate.
“We must inject sobriety into our politics. We are not enemies. Let us sit together and plan our future.
In 2027, Jirongo had a plan. He told us he had mobilised billions of shillings for a presidential campaign, and those who looked down on the Luhya community, saying they did not have money, were going to be shocked. As the people of Western, we have planned for the presidential ballot,” he said.
KANU party leader Gideon Moi summed it up by urging the community to unite and exploit the value of their numbers.
“Jirongo was prepared for 2026 to launch his campaign. Luhyas, do not be an elephant that does not know the value of its tusks.
Your unity will shake the country’s political landscape; your unity will help Kenya,” he said.
