Bungoma Contest is between Lusaka and Wangamati

The scenes playing out less than a year to August general elections in Bungoma County are one of the expected most contentious and truth-challenged political contest elections in the county’s history. Politicians, both the newbies and incumbents are positioning themselves strategically to scoop various seats in the forthcoming General Elections. Some have already flown from one party to the other so that they can remain relevant during forthcoming elections. Others have remained staging coupe de tat fighting for diminsishing party powers against time.

Away from any presidential contest, Bungoma Gubernatorial seat appears to be up-for grabs following the re-emergence of Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka’s bid to recapture Bungoma governor’s seat.

The move has caused jitters in incumbent governor Wycliffe Wangamati’s camp. Wangamati floored Lusaka, the county’s first governor, in the 2017 elections. The two had a tough duel in 2017, with Wangamati emerging victorious on the back of the support of Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula. However, Wangamati and Wetang’ula have since fallen out and the Ford Kenya boss is expected to back Lusaka.

Currently, a section of members serving in Wangamati’s cabinet, chief officers and directors have showed interest in running for political seats in next year’s polls, leaving a loyalty question unanswered in Wangamati’s camp.

The developing scenario is another huge blow to the incumbent of whom 90% are of his inner circle that comprises CECs and chief officers. He stands to lose their loyalty to Hon. Ken lusaka should politics precede loyalty.

Some have openly declared their interests, while others seem to be waiting for the opportune time to throw their hats in the ring.

Among those who have declared their political interests is director of special programmes Carol Buyela who is eyeing the Webuye East parliamentary seat, which is currently occupied by Alfred Sambu of Amani National Congress.

Currently, Lusaka seems to be enjoying cordial relationship with political big wigs Wetang’ula and Eugene Wamalwa who have since publicly declared support for him to recapture the Bungoma seat.

Lusaka points at his building of the Misikhu Brigadier and other tarmac roads within the urban centres; the free and subsided fertiliser programme; the soil testing kits; over 500 free dairy cattle for groups and modern equipment for the health facilities as his achievements.

Many Wangamati supporters said he did not implement his manifesto in the first 5 years he was governor.

He did not provide the free NHIF cover for the elderly, waive fees for mama mboga and boda boda and give 40 per cent contracts to youths.

Wangamati on the other hand cites flagship projects that include the controversial Dual-carriage way, Kanduyi stadia, the multimillion pediatric facility and his scholarship project.

Apparently, wangamati’s opponents have and will continue to use the launched Kanduyi -Musikoma dual carriageway controversies to kick him out of office. Before inception, human activists went to obtain orders stopping the planned works.

In the petition, the duo had sued Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, his Roads Executive Collins Mukhongo, Chief Officer Maurice Marango, Kenya National Highways Authority (KenHa) Director General, the Attorney General and the Controller of Budget.

However, Kisumu High Court, declined to issue temporary orders stopping it. He ruled that the applicants had not demonstrated sufficient urgency and grounds to do so. The project is one of Wangamati’s flagship projects that will cost SH 1.3B. The money will spread through three financial years: 2018/19 – 2019/2020 – 2020-2021.

The 6.5 km dual carriageway project expected to take 24 months to construct never materialized to expecttaions and there have been numerous protests over the dusty state of affairs. Work set to begin immediately on the C33 road from Sang’alo junction on the Kakamega – Bungoma highway to Kanduyi junction along the Malaba – Eldoret highway bore less fruit. The stretch from Sang’alo to Kanduyi that cuts right through the county’s main town and headquarters remains sorry state.

Other joy riders in the gubernatorial race include Sophy Waliaula, Dr Peter Khakina and Zacharia Baraza.

Both Ken Lusaka and Wycliffe Wangamati have been accused of corruption during their regimes. Lusaka’s Wheel-barrow scandal and Wangamati’s Jerricans Scandal have both tarnished their leadership stars. However, Fact remains, In bungoma County, the race is between two Horses, Ken Lusaka and the incumbent Wafula Wangamati.