Newly launched Democratic Action Party of Kenya has lined up a series of rallies in Western starting January to push out rivals from the vote-rich region.
Party leader Wafula Wamunyinyi and secretary general Eseli Simiyu are keen to dislodge One Kenya Alliance and Deputy President William Ruto from the region.
Eseli on Tuesday said the rallies, which will be attended by high profile leaders from Western Kenya and nationally, will see more defections from Ford Kenya to DAP-K.
“We are being overwhelmed by requests from those who want to run for MCA, MP, senator and even governor seats on DAP-K ticket,” Eseli told the Star.
Eseli (Tongaren) and Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi) fell out with Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, who is a principal in OKA alongside Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Gideon Moi (Kanu).
They parted ways after a protracted battle over control of Ford Kenya, whose stronghold is Bungoma county.
DAP-K, associated with Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa, is seen to be targeting Bungoma and Trans Nzoia as its bastions.
Eseli reiterated that they will support ODM leader Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja Movement in uniting the country.
He said they will not be fielding a candidate for the top seat since they will be backing Raila’s candidature.
Eseli promised supporters of the party of a free and fair nomination for all elective seats.
“I want to ask our opponents to prepare for a bruising battle in 2022,” he added.
On December 15, Ruto claimed the party is part of a larger scheme by Raila to destabilise ANC and Ford Kenya in western.
He said the party unveiled on December 14 was formed to challenge the political dominance of Mudavadi and Wetangula in the region.
The DP said Raila, who is one of the front-runners in the 2022 presidential election had resorted to promoting the creation of regional parties.
DAP-K membership is mostly made up of a breakaway faction from Bungoma Senator Wetangula’s FORD- Kenya party.
Mudavadi and Wetangula have committed to remain firm in Oka. All Oka principals are nursing presidential ambitions.
The move by DAP-K to join the Azimio la Umoja Movement has been seen as strategy by Raila to claim a chunk of votes from the western region.
Simiyu has vowed that they will galvanise support for Raila in western region in the 2022 poll as well as popularise the newly launched party.
During the launch, Wamalwa urged Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to join Azimio la Umoja saying it was the surest way to be part of the next government.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
