“We would be headed for more trouble and disaster if Chris Wamalwa would succeed Patrick Khaemba as the Trans-Nzoia Governor in 2022,” said a resident in a local radio station talkshow.
“Yes, the Kiminini MP would be worse than Khaemba who is more accommodative and understanding. The MP is antagonistic and could become another Mike Sonko to sack his executives unnecessarily. He will first have to adjust on his tampers,’’ another listener called in to comment.
The Kitale-based radio station continued to receive more calls on the topic of Khaemba’s succession with some listeners observing that Wamalwa had least developed the constituency to warrant him climb the governor’s ladder.
They cited lack of piped water, tarmarked road and legislation in the national assembly to protect the interest of Kiminini people.
And true to this, the MCA for Kiminini ward David Kisaka intending to vie for the constituency in 2022 alluded to the, saying Kiminini town being second to the Kitale county headquarters has little to be proud of in terms of infrastructure.
Kisaka allied to the Bungoma senator Moses Wetang’ula-led Ford-Kenya FK party pointed out that unlike other subcounties in Trans-Nzoia, it was only Kiminini that had no code for the registration of its residents.
Another caller participating in the radio interview said that cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa could be the best bet to take over from Khaemba as a sober minded politician and a leader out to exchange views with the people.
Speaking in vernacular, the woman caller though expressing concern over Eugene’s speed in catching up with Chris whose campaign started just after the 2017 polls, said the non-confrontational approach of the Devolution CS also gave him the starting point.
But yet another one pointed out that Kakai Bisau going for the seat for the third time had to no change in tactic and fully involves the youth and women in his plans towards in achieving the gubernatorial seat.
MP Chris Wamalwa
Or will Khaemba’s miracle turn to Eugene Wamalwa when the former swept veteran politician Noah Wekesa for same seat in 2013 after the latter had invested heavily in the campaign?
Still another caller indentifying himself with Abraham Sing’oei, exhorted the human rights advocate to mobilise the smaller tribes in Trans-Nzoia to beat the predominant Bukusu community set to retain the governor’s office.
Women callers were rallying behind the women representative Janet Nangabo to break the jinx of men holding on the governor’s seat.
Only one person called in to ask whether or not Ben Wanjala who was Khaemba’s CFO in the first administration is still interested in the governor’s seat. Efforts by the radio presenters to traceWanjala bore no fruits until the programme ended.
From all these, it emerged that MCA David Kaboloman would be running mate of Chris.
According to Kaboloman, both Trans-Nzoia senator Mike Mbito and Endebess MP Robert Pukose who had earlier been cold towards Chris Wamalwa has changed tune and are backing him for unity of the Sabaot community.
Kaboloman said it was the wish of the Sabaot people that Mbito defends his seat in 2022 as well as Pukose for Endbess constituency after the latter’s fear of the Saboti MCA becoming the community’s spokesperson upon being elected as the deputy governor was allayed.
For Chris, it would be do-or-die if the Kiminini MP discards Kaboloman as his running mate who has stood alongside him throughout after the Sabaot community found solace in him.
But critics are questioning the integrity of Kaboloman after his spat with the Saboti MP Caleb Amisi during the Mashujaa Day celebration at Saboti Centre where the MCA used foul language at the lawmaker allied to ODM.
Khaemba
Though the Sabaots were fronting one of Governor Khaemba’s CCOs John Meng’wa to be Eugene’s running mate should the Devolution CS through his hat in the governor’s race, the community this time round is demanding a substantive share in the next county government.
And for Eugene, his aides still keeping their secrets to the chest said their boss no matter the outcome of the BBI, is set for strategic position during the 2022 polls. His PA John Makete was cagey on details of the Devolution CS going for the seat but all indications were that he will definitely rally behind the BBI results likely to vouch for a parliamentary system of government.
But the question would be upon adoption on the BBI report; will Eugene maintain a cabinet post by going for one of parliamentary seats in Trans-Nzoia or aim for an appointive slot such as the deputy prime minister? Or still, would he abandon the national government for a county government?
Political parties have always played a role in the outcome of the general election results and this time round, neither the dominant FK nor Jubilee are in a good position to command a recognisable local support.
Others going for the gubernatorial race include Andrew Wanyonyi, Moses Khaoya and Paul Moiben. Moiben says he was shortchanged by FK in 2017 for the Endebess seat and that he is now ready to rectify the mistakes of the last general election.
Mudavadi
With the FK Trans-Nzoia leadership having been bestowed on the Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, and Jubilee being torn in the middle, little is expected from the two parties.
Wanyonyi together with Chris are expected to call shots during the FK nominations while Eugene associated with a new party Dapk is likely to move with massive support from Jubilee.
For Raila Odinga’s ODM, branch chairman Patrick Musungu said the party is currently recruiting new members while for Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC, the branch boss Herman Malavi is optimistic that the party with one MCA Obed Mahanga for Matisi is headed towards victory.
As for Gideon Moi’s Kanu, officials of the party are involved in fierce battles over the collection of rent from the party’s property and it is only after the settlement of these wars that Kanu without an elected leader in the county can bounce back to leadership in Trans-Nzoia.
Already, for Kiminini constituency MCA David Kisaka has been earmarked to succeed Chris with a businessman Tonny Muyoti and Emmanuel Wanjala in hot pursuit while in Cherangany, Julius Tunduria, Patrick Simiyu and Jubilee activist John Njuguna were being rated hot in the race to take over from the incumbent Joshua Kuttuny.
Speaking at Kabiyemit in Chepsiro-Kiptoror ward, Tunduria dismissed the BBI report as going nowhere as its delay in the release showed it had been cooked. The residents were never consulted, he added.
In Saboti, area legislator Caleb Amisi with his renewed determination of retaining his seat by firing corrupt NCDF officials faces stiff opposition from TSC official Rodgers Bukose, John Makete and FK’s Joseph Pepela.
In Endebess, the incumbent Robert Pukose is headed for survival against Alwin Sasia and Nathan Psiwa although the latter two have yet to hit the ground.
While Sasia is said to enjoy support across the constituency, Psiwa is disadvantaged by sticking to his Saboat community, the fate being pursued by Pukose. A Luhya candidate is poised to take the Endebess seat if the Sabaot leaders continue to fight amongst themselves.
And for Kwanza, Ferdinand Wanyonyi’s FK representation is in the balance with the increased support for one Moses Lupao.
Mike Mbito is safe for the senatorial seat as well as Janet Nangabo for the women representative as no other candidates have expressed their interest for the two seats.
