Happening now, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli is expected to endorse Prime Minister Raila Odinga as Mulembe Nation flag bearer in the August 2022 elections, in what he has dubbed Bukhungu II, after the venue at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega.
Odinga accompanied by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya drove into the stadium waving to the massive crowd from the rooftop of an SUV to the tune of “Lero ni Lero, song” sung to the musical melody of Luhyia music.
Dressed in a white African outfit and his signature fedora hat, a maskless Odinga danced to the tune in a chaotic scene that earlier saw the MC asking police to clear the space for Odinga on stage.
BUKHUNGU II EVENT RECAP AND SUMMARY
Raila spoke to a full capacity crowd in Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega county.
Before his speech, the Bukhungu II declaration was read aloud by Peter Mudava, a representative of the Western Region elders.
The Bukhungu II Declaration states the following:
1. That they will be part and parcel of Azimio la Umoja under Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga
2. That they will mobilize the community to support Odinga, as the 5th president of the Republic of Kenya
3. That they will form the next government with as the 5th president
4. That the community shall only vote for candidates in all positions who are allied to and or members of Azimio la Umoja
5. The elders unanimously handed over the mantle of Mulembe Nation Spokesman position to Dr. Wycliffe Ambeza Oparanya, replacing former Vice President Musalia Mudavadi, whom speakers at the event viewed as a weak leader. As the Western Region community leader, Oparanya will play the role of Mulembe Nation chief negotiator and representative in the administration if Odinga wins the presidency.
Raila reiterated the 10-point agenda for his government, which he first unveiled at the Azimio La Umoja at Kasarani Stadium on December 10, 2021.
He promised to work with the youth, bring jobs to the community, and improve the Western region’s economy.
To further seal his commitment to economic improvement if elected, he called the Mumias sugar company investors on the podium. He revealed to the cheering crowd that he had asked the investors to open Mumias sugar in the first 6 months of his presidency.
Unlike the Kasarani event, the Bukhungu II event seemed rushed, with the MC constantly reminding speakers of the 1-minute time allowance to beat the expected rains.
Odinga’s speech lasted less than 10 minutes, amid music.
MUDAVADI ALLIES DITCH ONE KENYA ALLIANCE (OKA) FOR AZIMIO MOVEMENT
Mudavadi suffered a major blow after the ANC Deputy Party Leader Ayub Savula and Teso North MP Oku Kaunya announced their defection from the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) to the Azimio la Umoja movement during the rally dubbed Bukhungu II. Other leaders who joined the Azimio la Umoja bandwagon were National Assembly Majority Whip Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren), Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi), and Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi.