As Kenneth Lusaka, Bungoma's current governor, nears the end of his term, political interest for the county position is heating up.
Lusaka, Bungoma's first governor from 2013-2017, won the 2022 election with strong support from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Ford Kenya MPs, defeating DAP-K's Wycliffe Wangamati.
Post an unsuccessful coupe to replace Wetang’ula as party leader, which Wangamati supported, he aligned with Eugene Wamalwa’s DAP-K but lost to Lusaka in 2022.
Eyeing the 2027 elections, former governor Wangamati plans a comeback, potentially facing Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa.
During a memorial event in Kimaeti, Bumula Constituency, Wangamati appreciated Bungoma's support in 2017 and expressed intentions for a 2027 run, hinting at a collaboration with former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga.
“2027 is still far, you never know what God has planned for us but I want to assure you that I will work with my brother Mwambu Mabonga so that we clinch the County seat,” he said.
After losing the Bungoma senatorial race on the UDA ticket to Wafula Wakoli of Ford Kenya, the former MP was appointed by the head of state as the Chairperson of the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Board.
Initially, he served as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) before taking on the role at the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Board.
Amid speculations that he might choose Mwambu as his running mate for the county position, the former Bungoma governor asserted his full support for Lusaka, ensuring the delivery of promises to the people of Bungoma.
“Since I handed over power to my brother Kenneth Lusaka at Kibabii University there is no day I have ever seen criticizing his job, the people gave him a mandate to work, most of the time I’m in Nairobi doing my own things, politics will come,” he said.
This year the former governor dumped the DAP-K party for President Ruto’s led UDA.
Wangamati added, “We shall form a strong team that will see us clinch the leadership of this great County of Bungoma,”
At the same event, former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, despite his presidential appointment as head of the Non-Governmental Organizations Board, announced his intention to contest for a political seat in Bungoma County.
Mwambu expressed his willingness to collaborate with ex-governor Wycliffe Wangamati, though he did not specify the capacity of this partnership.
Additionally, he urged elected leaders from the region in government positions to unite for the sake of regional development.
Jack Wamboka, Bumula MP pointed out that, Bumula has been left out many times when sharing County positions committing his support for Wangamati, Mwambu team.
“If we want Bumula to be respected then let us vote in one basket, currently we have nothing to smile about,” Wamboka stated, adding that he has no bad blood between him and his longtime rival Mwambu Mabonga.
Also present was Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, MCA’s among other leaders.
