The Bukusu Council of Elders led by chairman Richard Walukano has strongly condemned what they termed as disrespectful and demeaning remarks by President William Ruto against the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, warning that such utterances risk fueling political intolerance and undermining unity in the Western region.
The elders pointed out that the President allegedly launched a scathing attack on DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa during his four-day development tour of the Western region particularly in Cheptais where he presided over the commissioning of a market construction project.
Speaking to the press in Bungoma town on Saturday, Job Bwonya, the council’s secretary said they are concerned with the utterances, which they believe to have been directed at DAK-P leader Eugene Wamalwa.
“The utterances by President William Ruto were meant to humiliate and demean not only DAP-K party leader but the entire Luhya community, they got us off guard and by surprise,” Bwonya said.
Further, he said that the council had high expectations that the Head of State would address important and pertinent issues affecting the people of Bungoma and the Western region at large.
He pointed some of the issues that expected address from the Head of State; thousands of Nzoia sugar cane farmers who have not been paid to date, when they were told that leasing of the mill will solve their problems..
They argued that during the President’s tour to the Western region, they expected an assurance to the people of Bungoma that the completion of Misikhu- Naitiri road which Ruto and Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka launched in 2016, while he was the deputy President, adding that it is now 10 years with no completion date.
Bwonya also pointed out Musikoma- Mungatsi- Lurambi road among others that the President promised to complete stating that nothing tangible has been done.
The council said that the construction of SMART CITY at Bungoma airstrip according to the popular attitude of the people of Bungoma is not in their best interest.
“That land where they have launched the construction of the SMART CITY was suited for a level 6 hospital which was transferred to Sichei without public participation and the consent of the residents,” Bwonya stated, noting that there is a High Court order under certificate of urgency restraining any development on that land until the case is heard and determined.
Bwonya added, “It is the best interest of the country that the rule of law is our guiding principle and anything outside that is anarchy,”
The council called on the Luhya leaders including National assembly Speaker Dr. Moses Wetang’ula, Trans- Nzoia governor George Natembeya, ODM Secretary General (SG) Edwin Sifuna, Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka among others to forge unity for the common purpose of the community and the country.
