Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi has come under scathing attack from Kenya Kwanza leaders for allegedly backing DAP-K candidate Governor Wycliffe Wangamati's re-election bid.
Kapondi was elected in 2017 on a Jubilee ticket but is seeking re-election through the UDA party, an affiliate of Kenya Kwanza.
Kenya Kwanza however, is backing Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka who is seeking to recapture the seat he lost to Wangamati in 2017.
ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula said Kapondi's decision is hypocritical and meant to weaken Deputy President William Ruto's presidential bid.
The leaders spoke on Tuesday during Kenya Kwanza campaigns in Cheptais.
They said Kapondi cannot be campaigning for Ruto while also campaigning for candidates of rival parties.
"There is no way you will say we vote Azimio down and at the top vote for Ruto because he will be a weak president," Wetang'ula said.
He said residents should reject "leaders who dine with Kenya Kwanza during the day and with Azimio brigade at night.
Mudavadi criticised Kapondi for playing politics of deceit.
He said residents should only vote for Kenya Kwanza candidates and avoid those associating with Azimio.
"For Ruto to be strong, he needs soldiers. Don't vote for those saying to only vote for Ruto and mix up candidates at the bottom," Mudavadi said.
Kapondi has been publicly campaigning for Wangamati.
However, DAP-K led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi is an affiliate of the Azimio La Umoja coalition that is led by Raila Odinga.
At a past public forum, Kapondi said Wangamati is a friend whom he schooled with and a development-conscious leader.
Kapondi will face Evans Chemwotei of Ford Kenya, Jane Chebet and Allan Chemayek both independents in his fight to retain the Mt Elgon MP seat.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
