Ford-K officials blame powerful leaders for 'fixing' Wetang'ula

As prayer rallies kicked off on Saturday in Trans Nzoia for Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula whose political career looks to be on the edge, opinion is divided as to who are behind his woes.

Former Kanduyi Mp Alfred Khang'ati LEFT, United Democratic Party leader Cyrus Jirongo and a Bumula politician Wanami Wamboka. at Khelela primary school in Bumula constituency during a funds drive in aid of Khelela Hospital on 1st November, 2015. They called on the Jubilee administration to stop intimidating opposition leaders especially the Bungoma senator Moses Wetang'ula. PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD PHOTO

A section of leaders from Western region have differed on claims that the Government, through its leaders from the region, has a hand in the political woes facing the Senate minority leader, who is also Bungoma senator.

Ford Kenya party officials have blamed some powerful leaders from the region for 'fixing' Mr Wetang'ula to take over leadership in the county.

Eseli Simiyu, Ford Kenya party secretary, accused New Ford Kenya (NFK) for 'fixing' Wetang'ula and orchestrating his political downfall for their advantage.

"Senator Wetang'ula's political woes are as a result of a court case that was filed by Musikari Kombo contesting his senatorial seat on a NFK party ticket. That is the genesis of it," said Dr Simiyu.

But Musikari Kombo, who is a former cabinet minister, dismissed Simiyu's claims saying that he had nothing to do with the political problems facing the Bungoma senator.

Simiyu, who was among leaders who attended prayers held in Kitale, further blamed Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa for having a hand in the woes facing Wetang'ula.

"The DPP investigated and found nothing and by them proceeding to say that Wetang'ula's name should be deleted from the voters' registers is malicious," he said.

He also accused Moses Lukoye, a close ally of Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and NFK activist, of taking the matter to the Court of Appeal saying Wetang'ula did not go there by himself.

However, United Democratic Front (UDF) party leader Benjamin Washiali accused Wetang'ula of digging his own political grave.

The Mumias East legislator said it was Wetang'ula himself who moved to court and applied for the suit that has turned against him.

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo defended Wetang'ula saying Opposition leaders play an integral part in any democratic country and urged the Jubilee administration to stop humiliating vocal leaders.

Speaking at Khelela Pimary School in Bumula constituency yesterday during a fundraiser in aid of Khelela Hospital, Mr Jirongo said Opposition leaders play an integral role in any democratic country and urged the Jubilee administration to stop humiliating them for pointing out weaknesses in Government.

He urged Wetang'ula to leave CORD and join his United Democratic Party so that they can strategise and take the country's leadership in the next General Election.

"Let him join me in this tough journey as a united Western community so that we can invite our neighbours in the Rift Valley, those from the Coast and other regions to vote for us. A united family always prospers," Mr Jirongo said.

Former Kanduyi MP Alfred Khang'ati and Bumula politician Wanami Wamboka joined Jirongo in criticising the Government, saying that by targeting Wetang'ula, Jubilee was attacking communities in Western.

"CORD Co-principal Moses Wetang'ula is one of the fearless leaders and they should not instill fear in him by trying to delete his name from the voters register," said Jirongo.

A week ago, Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro gazetted the March 17 ruling of the Supreme Court indicting Wetang'ula for the electoral offence of bribery in the 2013 General Election.

Wetang'ula now awaits the verdict from IEBC, which might strike his name off the voters' register, complicating his political future as he may be barred from contesting any seat in the 2017 elections.