Ford Kenya leaders in Bungoma County have told Party Leader Moses Wetang’ula to abandon Deputy President William Ruto.
Led by Chwele-Kabuchai Ward MCA, Barasa Mukhongo, the descending voiced accused Ruto of plotting to sweep all the elective seats in Wetang’ula’s home-turf especially in Kabuchai Constituency, in an apparent bid to embarrass him.
Speaking in Kanduyi during the party’s consultation meeting held at HYoung, Mr. Mukhongo told Wetang’ula to keep off from Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza activities and focus on winning seats on Ford Kenya ticket during the forthcoming general election.
“These UDA guys have no respect for us yet we are among the key partners in the Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential alliance,” lamented Mukhongo.
“If they are going to continue disrespecting us even in our own bedroom, then there’s no reason our Party Leader should be going around the country campaigning for Kenya Kwanza.
Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula during the meeting. Photo/COURTESY
Mukhongo’s outburst painted an escalating sibling rivalry between Ford Kenya and Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance which has vowed to field candidates in Wetang’ula’s backyard despite zoning demands from the local party.
Earlier own, Wetang’ula had demanded that all the Ruto-allied MP from Bungoma County, be given direct tickets from Ford Kenya in a zoning proposal rejected by the subject legislators.
The said leaders include Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga (Independent), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili, Jubilee party), Webuye West’s Dan Wanyama (Jubilee) and Fred Kapondi of Mt Elgon Constituency.
However, the decision by Ruto to UDA field candidates in Wetang’ula’s backyard has irked a section of Ford Kenya lieutenants who have vowed to only campaign for their own colours.
Out of the nine constituencies in Bungoma County, Ford Kenya has only one MP, Majimbo Kalasinga who came into office through a by election to replace the late James Mukwe.
During the by election campaign, Deputy President William Ruto described Ford Kenya and Musalia Mudavadi’s ANC as “mere village parties” who cannot field candidates beyond Kabuchai and Vihiga respectively.
Both parties are now part of his Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
Mukhongo also used the opportunity to criticise Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka’s sluggish start in his campaign to unseat Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, saying many residents are not entirely convinced that Lusaka is vying under Ford Kenya party.
“It’s high time the Speaker Kenneth Lusaka traversed the whole county and seek votes on Ford Kenya ticket.”
END OF KENYA KWANZA IN BUNGOMA?
The escalating rebellion in Ford Kenya may threaten the lifespan of Kenya Kwanza in Bungoma County.
With Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi’s DAP-K party also gaining ground, it could be possible tha Ford Kenya is fearing obliteration at the hands of UDA and DAP.
Mukhongo’s challenge on Lusaka hints a possible exasperation by Ford Kenya leaders at Lusaka’s lackadaisical showing in the race with their gubernatorial candidates only appearing once on the ground.
Other leaders present were Mr. Lusaka, Senator Wetang’ula, Bungoma County Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and several MCA aspirants under Ford Kenya.