Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka was dealt a big blow on Sunday when his own former Deputy Governor Hillary Changwony backed the incumbent Wycliffe Wangamati.
Mr. Changwony, who deputised Lusaka as Bungoma Governor from 2013 to 2017 said he has joined Wangamati after being taken for granted by the Lusaka camp.
Speaking at a ceremony held at his home in Kongit, Kaptama Ward of Mt Elgon Sub County where he led the Sabaot Supreme Council of Elders in endorsing Governor Wangamati for re-election come August 2022, Changwony hailed Wangamati’s track record that has earned him admiration from various corners of the political divide.
“I take this opportunity to announce that we are backing Governor Wangamati’s re-election because of the work he has done,” he said.
Governor Wycliffe Wangamati addressing residents of Mt. Elgon during the event. PHOTO/GPS
Changwony’s endorsement is a big boost to Wangamati hunt for the elussive Mt. Elgon votes which has been previously known to vote for Lusaka to a man.
This comes barely a week after Lusaka, who was dethroned by Wangamati in 2017, picked gender activist, Jenipher Chemtai, from the same Mt. Elgon region as his running.
From right: Bungoma Deputy Governor Prof Charles Ngome, Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and former DG Hillary Changwony during the event. PHOTO CREDIT/GPS
Governor Wangamati promised to work with Hon Changwony and like-minded people to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people of Mt Elgon.
Wangamati is vying on DAP-K ticket after ditching Senator Moses Wetang’ula’s Ford Kenya party while Lusaka is seeking a come back on Ford Kenya after ditching President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party.
Wangamati’s current Deputy Governor, Prof Charles Ngome Kibanani, is vying for the Bungoma Senatorial seat currently held by Wetangula.
Wangamati has since picked Mr. McLean Sitati Nangalama as his new running mate to replace Prof Ngome.