Senate aspirants from different parties are campaigning to replace National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.
For years Wetang'ula was the Bungoma senator and a by-election will be called to replace hi when his seat is officially declared vacant.
Wetang’ula resigned to become the National Assembly Speaker.
Speaking in Bungoma town on Monday while meeting UDA ward coordinators, Former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga said he is ready to take on Ford Kenya's Wafula Wakoli in the by-election.
“Ford Kenya insisted they are going to field a candidate to compete with me. I am very prepared to face him and ensure I deliver this seat to UDA,” Mwambu said.
Bungoma gave President William Ruto more than 300,000 votes.
“This thing must be taken by the UDA party because Ford Kenya joined us when we had already formed the party. It is not a matter of life and death, let us vote peacefully," Mwambu said.
He urged Bungoma residents to elect a candidate who has a plan to exercise his oversight role and hold the governor accountable. The Senate needs someone who understands legislation," he said.
“Let us vote wisely, let nobody impose a candidate on us,” he said.
Mike Malimba, the county UDA coordinator, said the party has started holding delegates' meetings in wards to ensure Mwambu wins.
“We have settled on Mwambu as the UDA candidate because he is one of the pioneers who supported the formation of UDA to the grassroots,” Malimba said.
Others seeking the Senate seat are Joseph Waswa, Jacob Machacha, Moses Nandalwe, Herman Kasili and Robert Sifuna, among others.
(Edited by V. Graham)
