Moses Wetang’ula visits Busia as Western battle intensifies

Ford Kenya Party Leader Mosses Wetang'ula addresses residents of Butula market in Busia County during his countrywide visit which kicked off on August 5th, 2016. PHOTO: CHRISPEN SECHERE/STANDARD

Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula has yet again asked CORD co-principals to back his presidential bid.

Speaking yesterday at Butula and Bumala in Busia County, Mr Wetang’ula said his chances of winning the presidency look pretty decent than ODM and Wiper Party leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka respectively.

“I am ahead of the pack and I have what it takes to deliver that mantle. I ask my brother Raila to support my candidature just as the Luhya community has unconditionally backed his presidential ambitions thrice. It is his turn to support Mulembe son,’’ Wetang’ula said in Butula after opening a Ford Kenya office.

All the three principals are seeking CORD ticket and have hinted that they will face each other in primaries.

He continued: “Raila and Kalonzo are not my enemies. However, it should be noted that your strategic partner can also be your strategic competitor’’. The Ford Kenya leader sensationally said Western region is no longer an ODM zone.

“Outsiders should not come here and tell us what they want. Residents should be left to make independent decisions on what they want in the political arena,” he maintained.

He further noted that leaders from other regions should accord Western the respect the community deserves. “Some leaders come here, saying Western is their potential support zone while others are persuading our people to join Jubilee. No one should do that,” he stated.

Wetang’ula observed that Ford Kenya enjoys massive support in Western than other parties in the Opposition. “Busia is in fact now a Ford Kenya zone. A significant number of residents are now quitting other parties to join Ford Kenya,” he added.

He further observed that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto should not mislead their people in their pursuit for a second term. “They are saying they will be in Western to commission projects, but they will just be coming to campaign for their re-election,” he said.

Wetang’ula expressed optimism that the Western votes will make a record history of voting in one basket come 2017.

His sentiments were echoed by Butula MP Michael Onyura and other local Ford Kenya officials. The group also held a fundraiser in aid of Bumala Secondary School and later addressed a rally at Bumala market.

Wetang’ula reiterated that his presidential bid is unstoppable and noted that he will soon be traversing the country to sell his candidature.

“Very soon I will be heading to Garissa, Mombasa, Malindi, Nandi Hills, Migori, Siaya and Turkana to market my candidature and explain Kenyans why I am best suited to be at State House,” he said.
He revealed that talks with other presidential aspirants from the region are underway to forge the way forward.

“I am in talks with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo. Three of us must work together if the region is to compete well in 2017,” he said.

He also appealed to the Government to ensure is a smooth transition at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“I want to congratulate the Orengo and Kiraitu team for the brilliant work so far. Kenyans must have free and fair elections next year,” he said.

Wetangu’la made inroads in Busia barely two weeks after Raila made a five-day extensive tour of the Western region to ask locals to back his candidature.

Raila appealed to the electorate to embrace “six piece voting” next year, a call that elicited criticism from leaders of affiliate parties in CORD, who felt they were being locked out of western.

Raila asked the community to elect ODM MCAs, MPs, and Women Representatives, senators, governors and president.