Nath

Last year July, I met Jirongo. We sat at Cedars, Lenana Road. I expressed my disappointment with the elusive Luhya unity and the constant competition amongst Luhya siblings. I then met Governor Natembeya somewhere in Karen. At the time, he was enjoying national attention with his Tawe slogan. He was with Caleb Hamisi. I told the Governor that I am volunteering to unite him with Eugene and Jirongo, and also see it that through Eugene and Jirongo's parties, a union of ideas can be born. At the time, Malava by-election campaigns were ongoing, and Panyako was running on Jirongo's party. I then met Jirongo the next day at Kiprono Kittony's Sirwo Coffee Restaurant in Lavington. He agreed to meet the Governor and then Eugene Wamalwa to unite them, so that they don't fall out. We agreed that I should spearhead talks with younger Luhya politicians like Malala, Hamisi and Sifuna, then, together with Eugene, we would meet Mzee Atwoli, who would take us to Oparanya, Wetangula, and Musalia. He also tasked me with meeting Governor Fernandes, so he would agree to end the conflicts between him, Nabii Nabwera, and Oparanya. Our goal was for these Luhya politicians to discard political differences and start speaking for the M'baluhya. Our other goal was for the older generation of Luhya politicians like Musalia and Gumo to support and mentor the younger ones. From Busia to Busali, from Likuyani to Nyang'ori, from Kitale to Luanda, every corner of Luhya land would be speaking with one voice. After the meeting, he called Panyako to follow up on Malava's campaign. All was well. He then said he was travelling to Libya and would be back in October. We parted ways amicably, and I travelled back to Western. A few days later, I saw Panyako with Natembeya, and I thought Jirongo had chosen not to field a candidate. CJ was later disappointed that Panyako abandoned the party even after being funded to run on it. Then Malala and DCP also dropped from the race, and I thought Jirongo had talked to him, as this was our behind-the-scenes discussion. Since CJ had left, I chose to focus on other things. On October 15th at around 6 am, I saw CJ's call and knew he was setting up another meeting, only for him to break the news of Baba's death. This therefore meant we would wait. He set up a meeting in January 2026 because after the Funeral, there would be so much happening like by-elections in Malava, and then Christmas holidays. "Amerix, we don't have time. If we don't unite these politicians now that Baba has left us, we shall be scattered," he said. Unfortunately, CJ lost his life, on 13th December. It was so devastating. A sad loss. Now, when I see Caleb, Natembeya, and Eugene bickering, I get so disappointed. Caleb has his party. Natembeya has taken CJ's party. Eugene has his party. Even the fact that Kalonzo has ring-fenced "Ukombozi" yet Natembeya had all the time to amend Jirongo's party makes me wonder if Luhya political leaders are strategic and intelligent. Political success requires strategy, cunning, Machiavellianism, persuasion, give-and-take and ruthless pursuit of goals, not just slogans and rallies. Luhya politicians appear clueless, disorganized and and jealous of each other. No one wants to see the other reach the top political summit. Please, Abaluhya politicians, put aside your egotistical differences and work for the M'baluhya. You will never attract meaningful collaboration if your house is divided. Luhyas are stranded. It is embarrassing. I want to restart the journey of talking to these politicians. Change or Perish.