MP Majimbo dismissed the remarks as threats intended to demean him and urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to investigate Wetang’ula’s speech. “In his address, my elder brother Moses Wetang’ula said that during the forthcoming Chwele/Kabuchai Ward by-election in November, I will not be there. I want him to come out clearly and tell the country exactly what he meant,” Majimbo alleged, claiming that goons had been planted in Kabuchai to disrupt the campaigns
By Tony Wafula
The rift between Ford Kenya Party Leader and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Kabuchai Member of Parliament Majimbo Kalasinga has deepened, with the latter openly declaring his ambition to take over the party’s leadership after the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at his home in Bungoma on Monday, MP Majimbo said that despite the ongoing wrangles, he would remain in Ford Kenya until the party formally ejects him. “I am in Ford Kenya and I will remain here until the day they decide to remove me officially. This is my political home, and I will not be intimidated into leaving,” Mr Kalasinga said.
The latest fallout between the two leaders stems from Majimbo’s decision to vote against the Finance Bill 2024, a move that triggered widespread protests among Gen-Z across the country. Majimbo further claimed that Wetang’ula turned against him after his stand in Parliament, insisting that his vote reflected the will of the people. “When I rejected the Finance Bill, I was acting in line with the interests of my constituents. I cannot praise and worship anyone. My duty is to protect the people, not to massage the ego of party leaders,” he declared.
Last week, while addressing Ford Kenya delegates at his Namuyemba home, Wetang’ula accused Majimbo of disrespecting the party that “held his hand and made him an MP.” The Speaker claimed that Majimbo had forgotten that it was Ford Kenya that propelled him to Parliament. “During the Kabuchai by-election, together with my parents, we voted for Majimbo as MP. Now he has started disrespecting the very party that made him who he is,” Wetang’ula said in the Bukusu dialect.
But Majimbo dismissed the remarks as threats meant to demean him and urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to investigate Wetang’ula’s speech. “In his speech, my big brother Moses Wetang’ula said that during the upcoming Chwele/Kabuchai Ward by-election in November, I will not be there. I want him to come out clearly and tell the country what exactly he meant,” Majimbo alleged, claiming that goons had been planted in Kabuchai to disrupt the campaigns.
The Ford Kenya Party has fronted Vincent Maunda for the Chwele/Kabuchai Ward race, while Majimbo has thrown his weight behind independent candidate Eric Wekesa, deepening divisions within the party.
Majimbo further said his opposition to the leasing of Nzoia Sugar Company worsened his relationship with Wetang’ula. “The leasing of Nzoia Sugar is ironic. The President himself said Rai Group should stop harassing farmers, yet the same Rai was approved for the multi-billion shilling leasing tender. When I spoke against it, they branded me a rebel in Ford Kenya,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from Kabuchai have ganged up against Majimbo, arguing that he needs to cooperate with a ward representative he can work with instead of undermining the party.
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has come to the defence of MP Majimbo Kalasinga, accusing Wetang’ula of breeding political chaos in Bungoma. “Through his own speech, Wetang’ula has confirmed that he is the father of chaos in this county. Bungoma residents must reject Ford Kenya because they are the reason this county is lagging behind in development,” Mr Wangamati said.
