The Democratic Action Party of Kenya has suffered a blow following mass defection of Webuye East officials to Ford Kenya.
The officials accused Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, who is seeking to defend his seat on the DAP-K ticket, of sidelining them in party operations.
Besides, they said, he has a poor track record for the years he has been in office.
About 200 officials and supporters defected.
Webuye East DAP-K chairman Wafula Wanyama said they have resolved to fully support Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka because Wangamati has been discriminating against them and not involving them in party events.
Lusaka is seeking to recapture the seat he lost to Wangamati in 2017.
“We were left orphans when our former Governor Lusaka left office and now Wangamati is showing us spite. We have finally crossed over to offer our full support to Lusaka and campaign for him in the grassroots,” Wanyama said.
He said working with Lusaka is a joy as he is a straightforward man.
Wanyama said all the projects initiated by Lusaka were neglected by the current administration, which says it cannot finish projects it did not start.
“In Misikhu we have the Brigadia road that Lusaka started building but Wangamati has failed to finish it, saying it is not his project. We don’t want such leaders,” he said.
Addressing the press while receiving the defectors at the Lusaka Command Centre in Bungoma on Tuesday, Lusaka promised to work closely with them during and after the campaigns.
“You people have made a very wise choice and we are going to work together as we have done before in order to better operations in this county,” he said.
Lusaka said the current government has not only discriminated against employees but also paralysed the county’s economy, especially agriculture.
“Bungoma largely depends on agriculture and if voted back to office, I will ensure that every ward gets 1,000 bags of fertiliser,” he said.
Lusaka also promised to bring back the trade loans system for small businesses and women's empowerment fund.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya
