Sirisia politician Moses Nandalwe has ditched Azimio Presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s ODM party to vie for the Bungoma Senatorial seat.
In an interview with this publication on Tuesday, the three-time parliamentary aspirant for Sirisia Constituency, stated that he has decided to vie for the coveted seat after consultation with various delegations from across the County.
“I have been receiving delegations from various factions across Bungoma County persuading me to represent the people of Bungoma to the Senate,” he said.
The 35-year old University of Nairobi product added that vying for the Senate seat had not been his priority but the constant persuasion from residents has inspired him to finally jump into the ring.
He added that he has spoken to his former boss Raila Odinga about his move, stating that he chose to vie on Ford Kenya party which is run by the immediate former Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula who resigned last week to become the new Speaker for the National Assembly.
According to the Constitution, Wetang’ula’s resignation calls for a fresh by election in the affected County to replace Mr. Wetang’ula.
Nandalwe, who is known for his flamboyance in his Constituency, clarified that his going back to Ford Kenya after ditching Odm should not guarantee him an automatic party nomination.
“I know Ford Kenya is where I started and I’m just coming back to pick from where I started and will be open to nomination process.”
Nandalwe, who lost his mother a year ago, added that his development record in Sirisia Constituency is what has inspired residents across other sub-counties to admire his Senatorial presence.
“Many of them want me to extend my charity activities to the other regions of Bungoma and that can be achieved if I have been elected as Senator.”
Nandalwe mentioned his free ambulance services to the residents, the ICT Centre for the youth, women and youth programmes initiated by his Nandalwe Foundation and the school bursaries as some of his trademark development in his area.
Asked why he lost the election to the incumbent John Waluke of Jubilee in the recently held General election, Nandalwe said he was a victim of the residents’ anger against Raila.
“We all know that the people of Bungoma wanted to punish Raila for what they wrongly believed that he had a hand in the unsuccessful ouster of Mr. Wetang’ula from Ford Kenya party.
“When residents voted to punish Raila, there was no otherwise for me but become a casualty for as well for vying on his ODM and I respect the people’s voice.”
Additionally, he insisted that he will be on the ballot whether as a Ford Kenya candidate or independent candidate should there be an unfair nomination process.
He affirmed his support to Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Bungoma Governor- elect Kenneth Makelo Lusaka.
Other leaders expected to submit their interests for the seat include DAP-K leader and immediate former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, businessman and farmer Lendrix Waswa of Mutengene Resort, Wetang’ula’s long-serving aid Wafula Wakoli as well as former aspirant Jacob Machacha.