Joseph Masinde, a staunch Ford Kenya supporter, criticised Wangamati’s record in office, alleging that the former governor is facing unresolved corruption investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), including claims of irregular tender awards and questionable financial transactions
By Tony Wafula
Political temperatures in Bungoma County are on the rise after a fierce exchange of words between a close ally of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
Kimilili Parliamentary aspirant Joseph Masinde, a staunch Ford Kenya supporter, has come out strongly to defend Wetang’ula and the party, following Wangamati’s recent remarks branding the party as a possible block to development.
On Friday, while addressing the press in Bungoma town, Wangamati specifically accused Speaker Wetang’ula and his Ford Kenya loyalists of deliberately undermining his administration by opposing key projects such as road improvements and health facility upgrades during his five-year tenure as governor.
According to Wangamati, members of the Ford Kenya camp blocked the allocation of funds for infrastructure, resisted policy changes, and created procedural hurdles, making it difficult for him to deliver meaningful development to residents. “The truth is that Bungoma has lagged behind because of unnecessary interference from Speaker Wetang’ula and his allies. They disrupted my efforts to transform the county and instead pushed their personal political interests,” Wangamati said.
He went further to accuse Wetang’ula of waging unnecessary political wars with Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga. “When you rank Bungoma MPs, Majimbo Kalasinga is among the most hardworking and popular. My brother Wetang’ula should stop attacking him. Majimbo has every right to support a candidate of his choice in the Chwele/Kabuchai ward by-election,” Wangamati added.
The ward by-election was occasioned by the death of Ford Kenya MCA Barasa Mukhongo, and the contest has already stirred rivalry within Bungoma’s political scene. On Saturday, Masinde, while addressing a press briefing in Kimilili, sharply criticized Wangamati’s remarks, terming them as acts of desperation meant to rally Bungoma residents against Speaker Wetang’ula. “Wangamati is bitter and desperate. He failed the people of Bungoma and now wants to shift blame to Speaker Wetang’ula and Ford Kenya. The truth is that the people rejected him in 2022 because of poor leadership and corruption,” Masinde alleged.
He reminded Wangamati that he owes his political rise to Wetang’ula, who stood by him during the 2017 gubernatorial elections and ensured he clinched the Ford Kenya ticket. “It is ironic that Wangamati is now attacking the very man who made him governor. He should respect Wetang’ula because without him, he would not have occupied the governor’s seat in the first place,” Masinde noted.
Masinde also criticized Wangamati’s record in office, alleging that the former governor faces unresolved corruption investigations with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), including claims of irregular tender awards and questionable financial transactions. “Before you point fingers, first account for the billions you misappropriated during your tenure. Bungoma people still remember the ghost projects, inflated tenders and stalled developments under your watch,” Masinde stated.
The Kimilili MP hopeful went further to defend Speaker Wetang’ula, describing him as a visionary leader who has elevated the Luhya community to the national stage. “Wetang’ula is the reason the Luhya community is enjoying 30 percent representation in government. Recently, 16 youths from Bungoma were recruited into the Prisons Service thanks to his lobbying power. Instead of criticizing him, Wangamati should appreciate his efforts,” he argued.
