Several contestants have emerged seeking to replace Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula after
he quit his Bungoma County Senate seat to enable him to contest for the Speaker of National Assembly
position. Mr Wetangula won after garnering 215 votes against his opponent, former Speaker Kenneth
Marende, who received 135 paving the way for a by-election.
Among those eyeing the Senate seat are former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, Mr Machacha a former
aide to former minister Fred Gumo, Mr Martin Ndiwa, who ran for the position of governor in last
month’s polls, Mr Bonewayne Nyongesa and Bishop Kasili.
There is also renowned businessman Joseph Lendrix Waswa, Bungoma East Knut Secretary-general
Aggrey Namisi, Sirisia politician Moses Nandalwe, Bungoma businessman Ken Wafula, Mr Kasembeli
Nasiuma and Mr Wetangula’s longtime aide, David Wafula Wakoli.
Mr Wetang’ula has however not declared his preferred successor but it is assumed he may back his
longtime aide David Wafula Wakoli to replace him. Political analyst Isaac Wanjekeche in an interview
says Ford Kenya, and Kenya Kwanza by extension will put on a fierce fight to retain the seat.
“Depending on what candidate Ford Kenya fields, Kenya Kwanza will have the upper hand in the by-
election,” he said. “The entry of new blood in the contest like Mr Waswa, who has a strong grip of the
youthful cadre, might attract new dynamics in the contest.”
DAP-K has not disclosed its candidate, with unconfirmed reports indicating that former Bungoma
governor Wycliffe Wangamati may contest. Mr Mabonga defended his Bumula seat under the United
Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the August polls to Jack Wanami Wamboka (DAP-K).
Also interested in the seat is Mr Waswa, who is popular among the youth and says he will ensure he
keeps Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka on his toes so that he doesn’t embezzle taxpayers’ money.
Mr Elisha Wamalwa, a Ford Kenya member from Webuye, in an interview said the Senate seat was
automatically Ford Kenya’s and all others eying the seat under other parties are automatically
disqualified on the grounds of party membership. “It’s all about party loyalty and how much you have
invested in the party so far. Mr Wafula Wakoli has a head-start compared to the rest,” he said.
Several Contestants Seek to Replace Moses Wetangula As Senator of Bungoma County
