Kombo and Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa have also fought Wetangula over the control of the same party.
Kombo eventually decamped with Wamalwa to New Ford Kenya.
“We want Kombo and Wetangula alongside other MPs in Bungoma to support Mudavadi, but we feel this can only be possible if no one seems to be in charge of UDF and Mudavadi within the county,” added Chikati. The Sirisia MP noted in an earlier interview with The Standard on Sunday that he has no problem working with like-minded leaders in the province and that he supports any unity initiative.
However, Wetangula has of late been strengthening his Ford-Kenya party, which has already developed a five-pillar election blueprint.
Mudavadi has indicated he would initiate talks with Wamalwa given his strong hold on Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia politics. Former Water assistant minister Raphael Wanjala said a good working relationship between Mudavadi and Wamalwa would ease political tension in Western.
“They need to talk and show the region leadership as a united team. We do not want a situation where votes are split due to unnecessary rivalry,” added Wanjala.
Apart from Bungoma, the other counties in Western Province where UDF is struggling to gain some foothold is Busia, where almost all MPs have decided to back Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
And the PM has chosen youthful Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba as one of his Pentagon members, a boost marshalled by Sports minister Paul Otuoma and assistant minister Sospeter Ojaamong, among others.
“Busia is also high on UDF’s agenda of consolidating regional support in Western. Mudavadi has plans for the county as well,” explained Chikati.
