• The Speaker made the move on Friday at a rally in Bungoma.
• The Speaker will now face governor Wycliffe Wangamati who ousted him in the 2017 polls.
Image: SPEAKER KENNETH LUSAKA FACEBOOK
Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has officially joined the Ford Kenya party.
The Speaker made the move on Friday at a rally in Bungoma, Posta grounds, where he launched his governor bid.
In a statement over his bid, Lusaka said he is committed to working with Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula ahead of the August 9, polls.
Wetang'ula is the Ford Kenya party leader.
His party is a member of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance that includes Deputy President William Ruto's UDA and Musalia Mudavadi's ANC.
Lusaka said he looks forward to forming a government that cares for the needs of ordinary citizens.
"We will work with Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang'ula and other like-minded leaders to decisively deal with the challenges facing Bungoma residents.
"August 9 will mark a new dawn in the leadership of Bungoma County. We will have an all-inclusive administration that cares for the ordinary member of the public regardless of the language they speak," he said.
Lusaka faulted the incumbent leadership in the county for underdevelopment saying he did a lot in his first term despite having inadequate resources.
"The current regime is receiving Sh12 billion to run this county. But as I speak today some of the county's casual workers haven’t been paid for a long time. Immediately I take over the leadership of the county, I will ensure that I monitor public funds,” Lusaka said.
Ford Kenya party leader who endorsed Lusaka for the seat accused the incumbent governor Wycliffe Wangamati of running the county government like his own business.
“In 2017, I campaigned for governor Wangamati to come and take care of our money but instead, he came and started bragging and running the government like his own property,” Wetang'ula said.
The Ford Kenya boss also received defectors from other parties.
The Speaker will now face governor Wycliffe Wangamati who ousted him in the 2017 polls.
Wangamati was the Ford Kenya candidate in 2017 but his fall out with Wetangula saw him move to DAP-K led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi.
Leaders present at Bungoma Posta grounds to drum up support for the Bungoma pioneer governor include Ford Kenya party leader Wetang'ula, Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, Bungoma county woman MP Catherine Wambilianga, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, over 40 MCA's and Ford Kenya and UDA aspirants.