War has erupted in the Kenya Kwanza coalition as UDA and Ford Kenya MPs exchange words on who to front for the Bungoma County Senate position in the forthcoming by-election.
The Senate seat fell vacant after Senator Moses Wetang’ula resigned to vie for the National Assembly speaker which he won defeating his Azimio la Umoja rival Kennedy Marende.
Speaking in Naivasha on Saturday during the Kenya Kwanza leaders retreat meeting, Bungoma County Woman MP Catherine Wambilianga, who doubles as the Ford Kenya party Chairperson, trashed Webuye MP Dan Wanyama's comment that ex-Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga is the Kenya Kwanza candidate.
On Thursday at Bungoma Members Club, Wanyama said that Kenya Kwanza is fronting Mabonga to replace Senator Wetang’ula.
Wanyama argues the UDA MPs stood with Wetang’ula during the National Assembly Speaker’s contest and it is high time he (Wetang’ula) returns the favor to Mabonga.
“I have worked with Mwambu in the national assembly as an MP and he is capable of presenting bills before the floor of the house,” Wanyama noted.
Wanyama called on Wetang’ula to support a UDA candidate.
Wambilianga maintains that the Senator’s seat is a Ford Kenya position asking all Kenya Kwanza MP’s to back Wafula Wakoli to take up the position as the Bungoma Senator.
“As Ford Kenya we are very clear that we will support Mr. Wakoli, a young and vibrant mind, Wakoli has been very loyal to the party and it's his time to lead as the Bungoma Senator,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Bungoma Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga who said that Ford Kenya party cannot operate without a Senator asking all Kenya Kwanza leaders in Bungoma to rally behind Mr. Wakoli.
On his part Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi dismissed MP Wanyama’s claims that President Ruto has agreed to back Mwambu’s bid.
“Let us remain truthful to what we tell our people and the press, the President has not declared his support for Mwambu,” Wanyonyi noted.
However, Wetang’ula will remain neutral on the matter as he should be impartial and avoid leaning on either side while presiding over issues at the National assembly.
