Wetang’ula and Kalasinga
By peter mwibanda
BUNGOMA, Kenya (IP)
A high-stakes political duel is unfolding in Bungoma County as National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga back rival candidates in a hotly contested ward by-election that could redefine the political grip of FORD-Kenya in its traditional stronghold.
The by-election, set for november has turned into a proxy war between the two leaders both influential figures in the region and key players in the party’s internal dynamics.
Speaker Wetang’ula, the FORD-Kenya party leader, is throwing his weight behind the party’s official candidate viewing the mini-poll as a litmus test for his hold on Bungoma politics following growing concerns about waning support.
His opponent in this battle? None other than Kalasinga, a FORD-Kenya-elected MP, who is backing an independent candidate, a move that has ruffled feathers within the party’s top echelons.
Multiple sources close to the party reveal that Wetang’ula has dispatched emissaries in a last-ditch effort to woo Kalasinga’s preferred candidate into folding his bid and joining the FORD-Kenya ticket — a maneuver that underscores the high stakes of the race.
“This by-election is not just about a ward seat — it’s about political supremacy and survival,” said a senior political analyst based in Bungoma.
“A loss here would further expose the cracks within FORD-Kenya and potentially shift the county’s political alignment ahead of 2027.”
The simmering rivalry has also triggered unease among grassroots supporters, many of whom view the split as a sign of deeper ideological fractures within the party.
Some residents argue that the battle is less about development and more about ego and influence.
“People here want service, not supremacy games,” said a voter in the ward, who asked not to be named. “We are watching closely. The outcome will speak volumes.”
FORD-Kenya, once unchallenged in Bungoma, has in recent years faced growing pressure from a rising crop of independent-minded politicians and rival parties looking to tap into the county’s large voting bloc.
The party’s loss in recent local elections and the defection of some influential youth leaders have raised concerns that its golden era may be fading.
Yet, Wetang’ula remains publicly optimistic, often reiterating his party’s commitment to the region and brushing off suggestions of internal rebellion.
“This is politics,” one of his aides remarked. “It’s normal for family members to disagree — but we are confident our candidate will win.”
As the campaign heats up, the by-election is shaping up to be more than just a local affair — it’s becoming a referendum on FORD-Kenya’s future and Wetang’ula’s political clout.
The final verdict will rest with the voters, but one thing is clear: the political temperatures in Bungoma are rising and the ripple effects could be felt far beyond the ward’s borders.
