In a surprising turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Kenyan politics, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati officially joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023.
The UDA party, led by President William Ruto, has seen this move as a major political realignment in the region and it has drawn praises from Ruto’s allies.
Wangamati, a seasoned politician in Bungoma County, made his affiliation with the UDA party during a press conference held at UDA’s new Secretary-General Cleophas Malala’s residence in Kakamega.
This announcement comes barely days after President William Ruto’s five-day state visit to Western Kenya, adding an intriguing element to the already heated political landscape.
During Ruto’s visit in Bungoma, Mr. Wangamati was not given any opportunity to address the public, a humiliation that saw him avoid Ruto’s subsequent events and flew back to Nairobi.
Sensing a rift, Mr. Ruto is said to have phoned Wangamati at 2am on Monday, instructing Wangamati to join him at the Kakamega State Lodge where they held a two-hour private meeting on Tuesday.
Speaking during the briefing shortly after Wangamati’s announcement, Malala said, “Governor Wangamati’s decision to join UDA is a game-changer for our party in the region. His experience and leadership will greatly strengthen our position in Western Kenya.”
Malala also used the opportunity to call on Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula and his ANC counterpart Musalia Mudavadi to emulate Wangamati and join UDA.
“We are calling on the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Moses Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to fold their parties and join the ruling party if they want to improve their political charisma. You cannot use the same tactics and expect different results.”
Wycliffe Wangamati, who served as the Bungoma Governor from 2017 to 2022, was elected under the Ford Kenya party ticket before unsuccessfully vying on DAP-K ticket in the recently concluded elections. His decision to switch to UDA marks a shift in his political journey, which has been closely followed by political analysts and observers in Kenya.
Wangamati’s Reasons for Joining UDA
During his press conference, Wangamati outlined several reasons for his decision to join UDA. He cited the party’s commitment to addressing the development needs of the people of Bungoma County and the wider Western Kenya region as a key factor in his choice.
Wangamati’s switch to UDA adds another layer of complexity to the 2027 general elections. With his strong political influence in Bungoma County, his alignment with UDA could potentially alter the political landscape in the region.
UDA’s Western Kenya Strategy
Since Malala ditched ANC to join UDA, he has been actively working to gain support for UDA in Western Kenya, which has historically been a stronghold of the opposition political parties.
Wangamati’s entry into UDA is seen as a strategic move to expand the party’s influence in this region, with sources within UDA disclosing that Wangamati is poised to be UDA’s pointman in Western Kenya.
Malala’s influence has earned him praises from Ruto allies, including the Webuye West Member of Parliament Hon. Dan Wanyama, who described the youthful Secretary-General as a ‘selfless, creative, and energetic leader committed to growing the UDA party.
Political analyst and journalist Isaac Wanjekeche says that Wangamati’s move to UDA comes as a brilliant idea that reactivates his political stamina.
“By Wangamati joining UDA, his political presence has just been rejuvenated, a political display that was otherwise going into oblivion,” said Mr. Wanjekeche in a telephone interview with this writer.
The 2027 general elections promise to be an exciting and closely watched event in Kenyan politics, with Wangamati’s affiliation with UDA serving as one of the key highlights of this ever-evolving political landscape.