The Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, has suffered a major political blow after the FORD Kenya candidate lost in the Chwele-Kabachai ward representation race to the Independent candidate who won the most votes.
Source: Facebook
Eric Wekesa (independent candidate) was declared the winner after getting 6,162 votes (67%), defeating Vincent Maunda of FORD Kenya, who got 2,765 votes.
Other candidates in the race are Samwel Joel Barasa (65), Phanice Sebenzia Kutswa (52), Kizito Mukhongo (25), Margeret Nambwala Toili (4), Elizabeth Situma Murunga (17), Dan Simiyu Tanganyika (29), and Evans Barasa Wanyonyi (41).
How did Wekesa win FORD Kenya?
Maunda and Wekesa faced each other in 2022 in another fierce contest, where the former finished second and the latter came third, separated by about 200 votes.
However, Wekesa, a young, smart and eloquent politician, soon dusted off and returned to the people.
He improved his campaign strategy to target youth and women. He also used social media and local language radio stations to promote himself as a pacifist and portray the FORD Kenya camp as violent and destructive.
His candidacy was strengthened and endorsed and supported by senior leaders such as George Natembeya and the former governor of Bungoma, Wycliffe Wangamati and Member of Parliament for Kabuchai Majimbo Kalasinga, among others.
Kalasinga was elected on the FORD Kenya ticket but since then he has fallen out with the leader of his party. The relationship that exists between the Sikhs and the Speaker of the Parliament is so fragile and hostile that they have thrown words at each other openly.
When FORD Kenya endorsed Maunda, the member of parliament who came out openly rebelled and supported Wekesa.
The politics of violence, death and destruction
On Saturday, November 22, Natembeya led a series of meetings in the ward to drum up support for Wekesa.
His convoy was attacked by hoodlums, causing injuries and damage to vehicles. Two people were killed, and many others were injured during the confrontation.
On the same day, Kalasingha’s house was stoned and destroyed by thugs. The incident happened just a few weeks after the MP’s restaurant was destroyed and looted by a group of youths who were armed with crude weapons.
He said more than 20 televisions and other valuables were looted during the raid, estimating the total loss at more than 2 million.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
