Western MPs differ on impact of Wetang’ula’s IEBC verdict

Senator Moses Wetang’ula

The decision by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to delete Senator Moses Wetang’ula’s name from the voters’ roll has attracted mixed reactions in western Kenya.

While some argue the ruling ensures the region remains a formidable force in the political arena, others say it was just an ordinary case with little or no impact.

On Tuesday, a three-member bench of IEBC commissioners ruled that there were no grounds to expunge Wetang’ula’s name from the voters list following voter bribery accusations leveled against him.

ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba said while the Ford Kenya leader and CORD co-principal has braved a myriad political challenges, this week’s ruling lacks any impact on Western politics.

“It is good to see him overcome such political storms but he should now focus on serving the people who elected him to the Senate. Being the Leader of Minority in the house, we expect him to up the game in countering Jubilee, which is having a field day in the Senate,” said the Budalang'i lawmaker.

But Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, a key ally of Wetang’ula, believes the ruling will have a huge impact on the 2017 polls.

“I am happy the case has ended. The verdict makes Wetang’ula more relevant and a force to reckon with in Western,” he said.

According to Khalwale, had Wetang’ula lost the case, Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi and CS Eugene Wamalwa would have been the biggest beneficiaries.

Ford-K Secretary General and Tongaren MP Simiyu Eseli said his party boss has emerged stronger from the case.

“Wetang’ula is prepared to soldier on with his presidential ambitions. The matter has also elevated him in western politics,” said Simiyu.

The MP claimed Wetang’ula’s woes were political, saying the Bungoma senator was put through witch-hunt and victimisation.

Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa agrees, saying the ruling has strengthened Wetang’ula political base in western Kenya. “The case was a waste of time because you cannot delete someone’s name in the register without convicting him,” he said.

But Lugari MP Ayub Savula argues that Wetang’ula could have gained political mileage if IEBC had struck out his name from the voter register. “CORD would have gained sympathy votes in Western,” he said.

Namwamba and Savula said it was high time Wetang’ula makes peace with Mudavadi and Wamalwa. “If the three resolve to work together, it will be the end of Jubilee in Western. We urge them to bury their political differences and agree on one candidate,” said Savula.