Wangamati says he’s yet to decide whether to join Raila or Ruto camp
Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati has broken his silence on which party’s ticket he will seek re-election next year.
Speaking at a funeral in Sirisia constituency at the weekend, Wangamati said he was consulting widely before deciding what direction to take.
“I am yet to choose between Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja and William Ruto’s UDA for the 2022 General Election. It’s a decision that I will make after consulting residents and key political stakeholders,” he said.
Wangamati (pictured), who was elected on Ford Kenya ticket in 2017, left the party after attempting a coup with Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and his Tongaren counterpart Eseli Simiyu.
Wamunyinyi and Eseli have since joined Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) associated with Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa where they have been picked party leader and secretary general respectively.
Ford-K fallout
The duo alongside Wangamati exited from Ford Kenya party after its party leader Moses Wetang’ula held a National Delegates Conference (NDC) where the rebels were replaced in leadership positions.
So far, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka, former Communication Authority of Kenya CEO Francis Wangusi, Kibabii University lecturers Peter Khakina and Sophy Waliaula have announced the intention to unseat Wangamati.
Lusaka, who was the first governor between 2013 and 2017, wants to reclaim the position. He has been crisscrossing the county in recent months to campaign for the seat.
At the weekend, Wangamati said that he will respect and follow the demands of voters.
“I will listen to Bungoma electorate on where they want us to go and that is what will inform my political direction as I vie for re-election,” he said.
