Key Bungoma governor aspirants are torn on which party or alliance to join as the political landscape in the country takes shape.
The contest has attracted several aspirants, including incumbent Wycliffe Wangamati, Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Nairobi-based businessman Zacharia Barasa and Kibabi University lecturers Sophy Waliaula and Peter Khakina.
Wangamati is said to be at a crossroads on whether to join Raila Odinga's ODM, Deputy President William Ruto's UDA or Democratic Alliance Party (DAP), which is associated with Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa.
Wangamati, who was elected in 2017 on the Ford Kenya ticket, has since fallen out with party leader Moses Wetang'ula. Wetang'ula and Wangamati's political bonds were broken when the governor supported a faction of Ford Kenya that sought to remove the party leader.
Wangamati has said he is listening to the people before making a decision but insisted that the coming presidential election will be a two-horse race between Raila and Ruto.
"Let us not cheat our people. The next presidential race is between DP Ruto and Raila. We must ensure we associate with a side that will make government," he said.
Wangamati has been working closely with ODM deputy leader Wycliffe Oparanya and at one time the Kakamega governor had to come in and save him during an impeachment process by whipping ODM MCAs.
He, however, sent mixed signals when he didn't show up at Raila's political rallies when the ODM chief visited the county recently, despite being around.
Some of Wangamati's close associates have been pushing him to work with Ruto. But the governor has not publicly shown a cordial relationship with Ruto.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and his Sirisia counterpart John Waluke, who are close allies of the DP, have said Wangamati has been in talks with the DP.
"UDA is a strong party in Bungoma and will have candidates for all seats. I can confirm that even the current governor has been seeing the DP," Barasa said.
The MP said the only way Wangamati can successfully defend his seat is by joining UDA.
Lusaka also confided in the Star that several parties have approached him to be their flagbearer.
"We have been approached by various parties and we have had talks. The most important thing is to listen to the people on the ground before making any decision," he said.
Lusaka has had a cordial relationship with Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula who is also Ford Kenya's party leader, especially after falling out with Wangamati.
Wetang'ula has said that he will support Lusaka on the Ford Kenya ticket.
During the recent Ford Kenya National Delegates Conference, several Lusaka confidants were rewarded with positions in the NEC, the highest party decision-making organ.
Wamalwa is said to have had talks with Lusaka too.
Waliaula has already aligned herself with UDA and has been coordinating party activities in the region.
Businessman Barasa said he has not made up his mind and has many options.
"We are still consulting and I think by December we will have made up our minds," Barasa said.
Khakina said he will run as an independent candidate.
Political observers say the aspirants will have an uphill task deciding on which party to run on owing to the fact the region has warmed up to all the political divides.
"If you look keenly at Bungoma, you will realise all three main political factions have a formidable support base. This makes it hard for aspirants to make a decision," political commentator John Wanjala said.
He said party choice would add political mileage to aspirants.
"When you are in the right party, you start with some percentage and likewise when you are in the wrong party you start with a subtraction," Wanjala said.
Edited by A.N
