Bukhungu Declaration: Western Kenya elders endorse Raila, vow to vote only for leaders under Azimio la Umoja

Elders drawn from the Western Kenya region have endorsed the ODM party leader Raila Odinga as their preferred presidential candidate ahead of the 2022 elections.

In a written declaration read by Peter Ludama, the elders reaffirmed Odinga’s bid for the country’s top seat saying that he had the nation’s interest to catapult the country forward.

“We the elders of the Western region, noting that the country is geared towards political transition we, therefore, resolve and direct that the region shall be part and parcel of Azimio la Umoja under the leadership of Raila Odinga,” read the declaration.

 “We shall mobilize our community to support and vote for Odinga as the fifth President of the Republic of Kenya,” added the statement.

They further declared that the region should form the next government with Raila Odinga and to only elect leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja movement.

"The community shall only vote for candidates in all other positions who are allied to and all members of Azimio la Umoja," read the statement.

In regard to the Luhya community leadership which has Mudavadi as the community declared kingpin since 2016, the elders replaced the ANC leader with Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

“Elders unanimously hand over Wycliffe Oparanya as the Western region community leader with whom you will form the government and negotiate with the states of the community with your government,” stated Ludama.