With the elevation of Hon Moses Masika Wetangula to the hallowed position of  speaker of the national assembly, thereby making him third in the succession matrix incase both the president and his deputy are unable to discharge their duties; it has necessitated a by election back in Bungoma, in a race to succeed the Ford Kenya party leader, who is fondly reffered to as Papa wa Roma by his supporters.

The race has attracted big names in the Bungoma political scene and it promises to be an epic battle. The former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga who lost the seat to DAP-K’s Jack Wamboka has thrown his hat in the ring on a UDA ticket. Another heavyweight is a long term aide to Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, Mr Wafula Wakoli.

Other titans are Joseph Lendrix Waswa a businessman, flamboyant Sirisia politician Moses ‘moneybags’ Nandalwe whom as his moniker suggests is thought to have deep pockets.

Advice Mundalo, the current Jubilee Party youth league chairman, who featured prominently in Azimio campaign especially  the media campaign is also thought to be in the fray, although he is yet to publicly announce his bid.

Others are Aggrey Namisi(ODM),Jacob Machacha (Federal Party)and Herman Kasili (UDP)

Party politics will play a major role in this contest, with cracks already showing in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition. Although Ford Kenya’s party leader is yet to pronounce himself on the matter as he is supposed to be neutral as pertaining his new position, his party members are demanding that the UDA candidate relinquishes his bid in favor of the Ford Kenya candidate, but UDA are having none of it.

Both Mr Mabonga (UDA) and Mr Wakoli (Ford-K)  have enlisted considerate political support in their ranks, with the former Bumula MP  having Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama as his foremost supporter.

Wakoli who has been a Ford Kenya youth winger  has Hon Catherine Wambilianga the Bungoma county Women MP and majority of the Ford Kenya MCA’s.

With the sibling rivalry taking place, businessman Joseph Lendrix Waswa might just ‘pita katikati’ as he has started campaigns in earnest. Him having deep pockets, gives him the wherewithal and stamina to forge ahead in this war, a battle which he will be going against parties with a significant following in the county.

As they say, a day is a very long time in politics. There are some talks though in hushed tones that the immediate former governor Wycliffe  Wangamati might decide to attempt a comeback. This will throw everything into disarray and the dynamics will change once again. But as per now the former county boss is yet to join the ring. Ceteris paribus