Inside Politics

Candidates intensify hunt for votes ahead of December 8 polls

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 08:30 | By
Wetang’ula has last laugh in Ford-K control
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. PHOTO/File

 Candidates have put up a spirited campaign for the Bungoma senate by election nears.

 The candidates from Kenya Kwanza, Azimio and Independent are busy criss-crossing the county to woe voters to elect them on December 8.

 The by election has attracted eight contestants where Kenya Kwanza has two candidates while Azimio and Roots parties have one each as the rest are independent. 

Kenya Kwanza is experiencing friendly fire as both Ford Kenya and UDA have fielded candidates.

 Ford Kenya  under the command of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has put vigorous campaigns to ensure that their candidate Wafula Wakoli takes it home.

 Wetang’ula, who is also the party leader, has vowed to ensure that he retains the seat through Wakoli.

 He argues that the senatorial seat belonged to Ford Kenya and that he will not allow it to go to other party.

“In Bukusu culture, when a husband dies ,the one who inherits the widow must come from the deceased’s clan and not an outsider,’’ said Wetang’ula.

 The speaker has vowed to take a 10-day off to campaign for his candidate saying “a king also make choices.” He said he had already tasked, Governor Kenneth Lusaka, all Ford Kenya MPs and MCA’s to campaign for Wakoli.

 On the other hand, UDA has fronted former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga as their preferred candidate.

 Mwambu, who is being supported by only one UDA MP, has put up spirited campaigns to win the seat.

 Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama is the only one out of three UDA elected MPs from the area, who is supporting Mwambu.

 Didmus Barasa(Kimilili)  is supporting Ford Kenya candidate while Fred Kapondi seems to be neutral.  Kapondi has avoided associating himself with both UDA and Ford Kenya candidates. 

Mabonga defended his Bumula seat on UDA ticket but lost to Jack Wanami Wamboka of DAP-K.

  The entry of former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi has complicated matters for Mwambu as he had inherited support  from Azimio supporters.

 Others who are in the race include, Robert Sifuna(Roots party), Raidon Munoko, Julius Masinde and Enock Opara who are independent candidates.

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