Sirisia MP John Waluke….Photo/File

BUNGOMA, Kenya (AP)

Sirisia MP John Waluke on Friday hurled what political observers described as a well-aimed spanner into the already noisy Western Kenya campaign machinery, declaring that President William Ruto did not choose the current team leading his regional campaign — a statement widely read as a polite political slap aimed at Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka.

Waluke, never one to whisper when a microphone is available, said the Western Parliamentary Caucus — which he chairs — will take charge of campaigning for the president, effectively reassigning roles in a campaign Lusaka has been fronting with the confidence of a man already printing attendance registers.

“The president did not appoint those people,” Waluke said, in remarks that managed to sound both constitutional and deeply personal. “Members of Parliament understand the people on the ground. We will lead the campaign.”

Translation, according to seasoned Bungoma voters: Kindly vacate the stage.

A familiar rivalry, now with campaign posters

The comments reopen a long-running feud between Waluke and Lusaka, with the MP reiterating his well-worn critique that the governor’s administration has been “defined by corruption, rising poverty, and a generation of jobless youth.”

Waluke has previously accused the county government of Bungoma of turning development plans into press statements and youth empowerment into motivational speeches — a charge Lusaka’s allies routinely dismiss as “politics.”

But timing, as always in Kenyan politics, is everything. With Western Kenya increasingly treated as a battleground rather than a stronghold, control of the president’s campaign structure is less about logistics and more about future political receipts.

Lusaka camp: Relax, we’re just working

Allies of Governor Lusaka were quick to pour cold water on the remarks, saying the campaign is inclusive, consultative, and — most importantly — not owned by any single individual with a press conference.

A senior Lusaka ally, speaking on condition of anonymity because political peace is expensive, said the governor was “focused on delivering votes, not trading insults.”

“The governor is working with elected leaders, grassroots networks, and party structures,” the ally said. “If others want to help, the door is open. But no one needs to issue eviction notices.”

Another aide added that the campaign leadership was based on “practical coordination,” not titles — a diplomatic way of saying whoever brings votes gets the microphone.

Western Kenya: many chiefs, one drum

Political analysts say the public disagreement highlights a deeper problem for the ruling coalition in Western Kenya: too many generals, not enough foot soldiers.

Waluke’s insistence that MPs should lead the campaign reflects parliamentary anxiety that governors — with budgets, convoys, and branded jackets — are overshadowing lawmakers in regional politics.

Lusaka, on the other hand, represents the governors’ argument: that county bosses command structures MPs can only WhatsApp.

For now, the president has not weighed in, maintaining a strategic silence that allows all sides to campaign enthusiastically while arguing loudly.

As one Bungoma resident put it, watching the drama unfold:
“They are all campaigning for the president — just not for each other.”

Whether the spanner breaks the machine or merely adds noise remains to be seen. In Western Kenya politics, however, noise is often the point.