Is Bungoma senator and Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula, planning to run for governor’s seat come 2022? And if he does, what are the ramifications in the Bungoma political arena where he holds sway? One thing is clear, Wetangula’s entry in the race if he decides to run, will complicate issues for other nascent candidates as Weta, as he is popularly known, is an astute politician whose political and managerial acumen is superb. In 2013, he secretly backed the winner Ken Lusaka, and come 2017, he threw his weight behind the current governor, Wycliffe Wangamati, a move that sent chills down the spine as the lawmaker stamped his foot as the kingpin of Bungoma politics. Former governor and now senate speaker Lusaka has not hidden his intention to return to the race. If he faces Wangamati without Wetang’ula in the race, then Lusaka is bound to change the matrix. The governor, although seen to be corruption-free in public eyes, is perceived to be a silent looter, whom one cannot easily link to any scam apart from his allies who allegedly take kickbacks on his behalf.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula
Details in the suspected multimillion-shillings minting scandal that has rocked the county under Wangamati’s Covid-19 fight in Bungoma after the wheelbarrow mega scandal under Lusaka are haunting them, and a pain in his neck. The governor cannot deny the fact that Sh6.9 million was withdrawn from the county’s bank account in one day and handed to county staff to pay suppliers in cash. Many aver that Wangamati is more of a technocrat than a politician. In fact, Wetang’ula allies are regretting for having helped him land the slot only to turn against the senator. Talk that Wetangula had business deals in Kiambu county and that is why he was against former governor Ferdinand Waititu impeachment in the senate has been linked to Wetangula- Wangamati battles. It is alleged that a firm associated with Wetang’ula was collecting revenue for Kiambu county, a rumour that cannot be proved, they say. According to political analysts, Wangamati is surrounded by political brokers hence his current tribulations. If Wetang’ula decides not to go for the coveted governor’s seat, he is comfortable with having Lusaka defect to Ford-K and use the party in 2022.
Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka
The working relationship between Wetang’ula and Lusaka in the senate is cordial to an extent that a day rarely passes without them holding talks for the destiny of the people of Bungoma. In fact, when Wetang’ula was dropped as minority leader in the senate to be replaced by Siaya senator James Orengo, Lusaka at one time was openly opposed to the move until ODM tabled necessary papers to eject Wetangula. Analysts say Wetang’ula should use his party to strike an alliance at the national level by going for a top seat not at the county level since he is above that as a leader. Having fallen out with ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wetangula and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi should lay out a political strategy ahead of 2022 that will salvage the community’s long time quest for political power. But will either of them want to join ranks with William Ruto ahead of 2022 as two camps emerge in Uhuru’s succession race. ANC leader has categorically and emphatically said no. Already, Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila seem to favour CS Eugene Wamalwa, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli as the local kingpins.
Evans Kakai
Wangamati who won the seat on a Ford Kenya party ticket seems to have no love lost for his party leader Senator Wetang’ula who has been blaming him each other day on a litany of issues, key among them, alleged mismanagement of the county public funds. A former Kenya Revenue Authority commissioner Evans Kakai has also declared his interest in the Bungoma governor’s seat, while former Kanduyi MP Alfred Khang’ati is said to be returning for the Kanduyi parliamentary seat which he was overheard telling his supporters at Bungoma bus stop that “the seat is for taking because the incumbent has been away for too long”. The outspoken Sirisia Jubilee party MP John Waluke has expressed his interest in the Bungoma gubernatorial seat, though he is apparently in a vicious fight with Moses Nandalwe, who has interest in Sirisia seat. Waluke is said to have recently visited Governor Wangamati’s father, Mzee Patrick Wangamati, to seek support and protection from Nandalwe political onslaught on the constituency. Political observers are left to wonder whether Waluke’s declared fight for the seat is genuine and why he should seek support from the father of his opponent. Among the candidates, everyone’s record will determine his performance of it in winning this highly coveted seat.
Sirisia MP John Waluke
As for Wetang’ula, if he decides, he is the richest among the contesters and will get his party ticket that commands a big following in the county, Trans Nzoia and nationally. He is respected as a down-to-earth politician. However, there are various issues and factors that he will have to fight and shake off as they say, politics is a dirty game. But being the politician he is, he can circumvent any mountainous political terrain. There are those in Bungoma who think that whenever things change, they seem to remain the same because the kind of scandals bedeviling Bungoma county under Wangamati administration seem to be a replica of what went on during Lusaka’s administration as Bungoma governor. The office of Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu under the manager of the National Government Constituency Development Fund has condemned the emerging corruption in the office of the governor. Governor Wangamati too is faced with an uphill task to explain to Bungoma why some staff under his eye seems to have no respect for the management of public funds.
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa
It reminds Bungoma residents of the disappearance of over Sh100 million at Chwele chicken slaughter house. Wangamati’s failure to deal firmly with those involved in underhand deals in his government if not watched, will cost him dearly come 2022. It is not known if Cofek CEO Stephen Mutoro who was in the race 2017 will try his luck again this time round. Initial reports indicate that if Wetang’ula does not back Lusaka, then Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu will be his bet. In Trans Nzoia, Wetangula is backing Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa for governorship. Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi is also under pressure to run but has kept his supporters guessing. Forr now,Lusaka is the man to watch as Wetangula keeps many gusessing.The criminal case Waluke is facing together with his dwindling financial fortunes is his headache. Regional politics in the county also plays a role with upper and lower zones key in voting patterns. Wangamati aware he will not land Ford K ticket has been reaching CS Eugene Wamalwa said to have formed a new party to accommodate him.It is not known which party Lusaka will use but being a schemer,he has one in mind,.
