Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has been tipped to spearhead unity talks among Luhya leaders, in a bid to end political discord and chart a common development agenda for the region.

Presidential aspirant and Roots Party leader Prof. George Wajackoyah, who paid a courtesy call on Governor Lusaka at his office, urged him to leverage his vast experience in governance and politics to bring cohesion among the often-fragmented Western Kenya leadership.

“Use your past experience and goodwill to bring the Mulembe Nation together,” Wajackoyah said, noting that Lusaka’s conciliatory approach and respectful demeanor have earned him trust across the political divide.

Wajackoyah lamented that frequent public spats and political name-calling among Luhya leaders had eroded public confidence and derailed the region’s development agenda. 

He emphasized the need for unity, saying it was time leaders from the Western bloc stopped unnecessary infighting and spoke with one voice for the betterment of the region.

“Political differences should not breed animosity. We must rise above party lines and focus on issues that matter to our people,” he stated.

In response, Governor Lusaka welcomed the proposal and confirmed he was already in the process of laying the groundwork for an inclusive leadership dialogue forum. 

He emphasized the importance of harnessing the Luhya community’s numerical strength to push for tangible development outcomes.

“I am committed to playing my part in uniting our leaders. We must bring everyone to the table, regardless of their political affiliations,” said Lusaka. 

“There is no reason for leaders to insult or undermine each other when we can achieve so much more through dialogue and mutual respect,” he added.

Lusaka disclosed that preliminary talks with other Western region governors had already begun and that the reception to the idea of unity had been overwhelmingly positive. 

The proposed forum, he said, will focus on consensus-building, economic empowerment, and fostering a shared regional development blueprint.

Analysts have long argued that the Luhya community, despite its numbers, has struggled to assert itself on the national political stage due to internal divisions. With 2027 on the horizon, calls for a united front are expected to intensify.

Should Lusaka succeed in rallying the region’s political heavyweights, it could mark a turning point in Luhya politics and reinvigorate efforts to unlock the region’s development potential.