Ford- Kenya party has come out strongly to defend the senatorial seat which fell vacant after Moses Wetangula was elected speaker of the National Assembly. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has set the by election date as 8th December.

In what could turn out to be a fatal sibling rivalry in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, both United democratic Alliance  (UDA)  and Ford-Kenya have fronted strong candidates with President Ruto’s party vouching for former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga whereas Wetangula’s lion party is rooting for David Wafula Wakoli, a long time aide of speaker Wetangula.

Kabuchai Member of Parliament Majimbo Kalasinga has come out openly to ask the President’s party UDA not to field a candidate in the byelection. Mr Kalasinga said this after meeting leaders allied to Ford-Kenya party. The leaders had vowed to support Wafula Wakoli.

“We are calling upon our people, my people to Rally behind our rightful candidate Mheshimiwa Wafula Wakoli.He is the future and a destiny builder.He is a man that is very vocal and can articulate issues bedeviling people well.” Said Mr Kalasinga

“He is very lenient, experienced and a Pragmatic leader, ready for Representation, Legislation and Oversight. We are ready and we are going to win overwhelmingly as the party.” continued Wetangula’s home constituency MP.

On the other hand, UDA has remained adamant that their choice candidate is Hon Mwambu Mabonga. The former Bumula legislator was floored by Hon Jack Wamboka of DAP-K.

Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama has turned out to be his biggest supporter with the third-term MP urging Ford-kenya to reciprocate the support UDA members of the National Assembly accorded Wetangula to be elected speaker.

“144 UDA Members of Parliament voted for Wetang’ula in the Senate, so he should reciprocate by supporting the UDA candidate for the Bungoma Senate seat,” he said.