National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Kenyans to shun tribal politics and embrace national unity, saying the country’s future rests on leaders and citizens placing national interests above ethnic and political divisions.
Speaking in Likoni, Mombasa County, at a fundraiser for the Salute Community-Based Organization (CBO), Wetang’ula said Kenya’s progress can only be realized through unity, peaceful coexistence, and respect for democratic competition.
He said Kenya is greater than any one person and that leadership is entrusted by God, adding that the country must remain united as it works toward becoming a first-world nation.
The Speaker emphasized that all communities in Kenya are equal and warned against efforts to split the country along ethnic lines.
He said no tribe in Kenya is small or big, and every community has the right to lead the nation. He added that politics should be conducted with discipline, where rivals compete strongly during elections but unite afterward to work for the common good.
Dr. Wetang’ula also criticized the increasing trend of politicians allegedly funding violence and disorder through hired gangs, warning that such actions endanger the country’s hard-won peace and stability.
He said it is unfortunate that politicians are hiring goons to disturb the peace, adding that if they need such people, they should hire their own sons and daughters rather than innocent children of the country.
The Speaker commended former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for prioritizing national interests over personal political ambitions after the 2022 General Election.
He said that although they competed in 2022, Raila showed after the contest that Kenya was bigger than any individual. Wetang’ula said that spirit helped create the broad-based government, opening opportunities for leaders from different political sides to serve the country.
Wetang’ula stressed that peace, respect, and national cohesion must be upheld across the country regardless of political affiliations.
He added that Kenya must maintain respect, tranquility, and calm, saying political rivalry should never be allowed to weaken the unity of its people.
On the economy, the Speaker expressed confidence in Kenya’s future, saying the country is moving toward sustained growth and prosperity.
He credited President William Ruto’s administration with laying the foundation for economic transformation, while noting that Kenya’s democratic institutions have continued to mature over the years.
He said the country has made important progress, with past presidents completing their constitutional terms and handing over power peacefully. Wetang’ula added that Kenya belongs to all its people and that every community has an equal right to produce leaders.
Wetang’ula made the remarks while presiding over a successful fundraiser held at the invitation of Likoni MP Mishi Mboko. The event aimed to raise funds for the purchase of a bus for the Salute CBO, which is expected to strengthen the organization’s outreach and development work.
The Speaker described community-led initiatives as vital drivers of inclusive growth, saying they help improve lives and strengthen local economies.
He singled out the women leading and taking part in the organization for praise, saying their commitment reflects the important role women continue to play in social and economic development.
He said it is inspiring to see women leading the noble effort, noting that across Kenya, women have shown that when they are empowered socially and economically, they become agents of positive change in their families and communities.
Speaker Wetang’ula added that supporting women-led initiatives is an investment not only in individual households but also in the country’s wider development agenda.
The fundraiser drew local leaders, community members, and development partners who pledged support for the organization’s work to improve livelihoods and expand opportunities for residents in the coastal region.
His comments come amid rising calls for national unity and political tolerance as Kenya enters a period of increased political activity, with leaders urging citizens to prioritize development, peace, and cohesion over divisive politics.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi also joined Wetang’ula in calling for an end to tribal politics, saying the Coast Region will never support leaders who promote ethnicity.
He said the Coast is a cosmopolitan region, which is why it can support the broad-based government. Kingi added that Kenya has made several strides in fighting the outdated system of dividing its people against one another.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho thanked President Ruto for ensuring that all Kenyans are treated equally.
He said Kenyans had been ignored economically and politically for years, adding that people have now stood firm and agreed that they too can lead. Joho said it is time to make the country great.
Host MP Mishi Mboko thanked Wetang’ula for his mentorship, saying she will repay the goodwill at the appropriate time.
She said they are products of good guidance and that when the time comes, they will respond strongly by supporting those who have offered them a helping hand. Mboko added that they collectively agree the country is on the right path to prosperity.