Leaders led by Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka have called on Western Kenya Community to rally their support behind Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The leaders were speaking during the burial ceremony of the late retired teacher James Mukhwana Wetang’ula at Tuuti in Kibabii, Bungoma County.

The late was an elder brother to Speaker Wetang’ula and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.

The leaders who included Members of Parliament from both the National Assembly and the Senate reminded mourners that a community can only be led by one leader at a time.

They also advised that it is only through unity that the community can be supported to lead the country. 

“As I call on the family to emulate the character of the late James, I want to ask the people of Western Kenya to realize that Speaker is a National leader, support him for the benefit of your Community, you can also produce a President for this country and this can only happen if you will speak with one voice,” said Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.

Similar sentiments were shared by Peter Masara, MP Suna West.

 “Support speaker Wetang’ula, do not divide your votes, it is time that Nyanza region unites with Western Kenya to seek for the leadership of this country,” Masara stated.

Raphael Wanjala, MP Budalangi, Emanuel Wangwe, MP Navakholo, Beatrice Adagala, MP Vihiga County, Webuye East MP Martin Pepela, Jack Wamboka and John Makali area MP reminded mourners and the entire Luhya Community about their leaders who were in top positions in the country but faced divisive political challenges from the region.

“We had leaders like former Vice President the late Michael Kijana Wamalwa,  former Vice President Moody Awory, today we have Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, in him we can produce a President in 2032, let us support him as a region, we can only have one leader at a time”, said Beatrice Adagala.

Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, Senate Majority leader, also challenged the community not to accept divisive politics in the region.

 “Leaders must be respected and protected by their people, we should not allow other people to divide this region, Speaker Wetang’ula has the qualities of a good leader, we respect him nationally, we call upon the people of Western Kenya to respect and support Speaker Wetang’ula,” Cheruiyot stated.

Wetang’ula took the opportunity to call for unity to allow the burial of his brother, open a new leaf in their relationship and allow all of them to associate for the progress of the region.

“I empathize that as a people in the Western bloc, we must live as a team, we must walk together to build our region,” he said.