It’s a three-horse contest as Bungoma elects new senator

More than 646,000 voters in Bungoma county troop back to polling centers to elect a new senator following the election of former Senator Moses Wetang’ula as National Assembly Speaker.

At least 11 contestants will be squaring it out during today’s by-election, even though analysts maintain that it is a three-horse race between two Kenya Kwanza candidates and their rival from the Azimio coalition.

It will be do or die for Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya party as it tries to retain the seat it has held for the last 10 years.

Frontrunners in the race include Ford Kenya’s Wafula Wakoli and United Democratic Alliance’s candidate Mwambu Mabonga.

Both parties are in the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.  Former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi is, however, expected to give the duo a run for their money.

Over the last one week, Wetang’ula and his Ford Kenya brigade have pitched tent in the county in last-minute campaigns for their candidate, Wakoli.

Wetang’ula has vowed to ensure Ford Kenya retains the seat.

Same clan

Interestingly, Wakoli is also enjoying the support of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who has gone against his UDA party’s wishes to support the Ford Kenya candidate.

“In Bukusu culture, when a man dies, the one to inherit the widow must come from the same clan, not an outsider,” Wetang’ula noted.

UDA’s Mabonga is, however, giving Ford Kenya sleepless night given the massive support he enjoys from the elderly voters. He also enjoys the support of Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama. He is asking the electorate to shun Wakoli who he terms a “Wetang’ula project.”

“We want Wetang’ula to leave Bungoma people to elect their senator without imposing someone on them,” Wanyama said.

Wamunyinyi, who lost his Kanduyi seat to Ford Kenya’s John Makali, is banking on Azimio’s modest support in the county and those who are dissatisfied with Kenya Kwanza.

 His campaigns are being led by former Kakamega Governor Wyclife Oparanya and former Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, who have been criss-crossing the county, asking voters to vote for him owing to his political experience.

Large numbers

“Wamunyinyi is an experienced politician and knows the work of the senator so don’t gamble with your votes,” Oparanya recently told voters.

Others in the race include Raidon Munoko, Enock Opara, Julius Masinde, Fredrick Busolo, Elias Barasa, Geoffrey Wanyonyi and Robert Sifuna.

County Returning Officer Grace Rono has assured that the electoral commission is ready for today’s election and asked voters to turn out in large numbers and elect their senator.

She said all materials for the elections had been dispatched to the all 1,373 polling centres and that voting exercise will start at 6am.

“All is set for the Bungoma senatorial by-election as I have received all the materials and dispatched them for the crucial exercise today,” said Rono.

She lauded senatorial aspirants for maintaining peace during campaigns and asked them to ensure peace prevails during today’s voting exercise.

“We have done well during campaigns, let us continue with the same today during voting,” Rono said.

Rono noted that the county tallying centre will be at Mabanga Agricultural Training Center.