By Anderson Ojwang
In Bungoma County, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula is facing a battle of his life. This time, the battle for his political survival takes him to his own ward, Chwele–Kabuchai.
At his own backyard, Wetangula is facing a supremacy battle against his bitter opponents — Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga.
The by-election has drawn intense interest and is one of the main political test grounds ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wangamati recently said, “This vote is very important; it will save the whole of Bungoma County. That’s why I want you to vote for Erick Wekesa.” Erick Wekesa is an independent candidate, one of two leading candidates.
It is a two-horse race between Wetangula’s Ford–K candidate Vincent Maunda, who the party nominated to replace the former MCA James Barasa Mukhongo, who died recently.
During the Ford–K nomination, Maunda got 20 votes against his closest opponent Ezekiel Khamusini, who received four votes, while two other aspirants did not get any votes.
The nominations were done through secret ballot and were presided over by the Ford Kenya Director of Elections, Khadija Mustafa.
On Thursday, Natembeya prevailed on the DAP–K candidate Phanice Waswa in favor of Erick.
Natembeya wrote on his X handle:
“DAP–K’s Phanice Waswa has today stepped down in favor of Erick Wekesa in the upcoming Chwele–Kabuchai Ward by-election, a powerful show of unity and maturity in leadership.
This outcome follows my mediation efforts to bring together our leaders under one vision: to strengthen the opposition and give the people a united voice.
We are proving that when leaders choose dialogue over division, the people win.
This is not just about a by-election; it’s about setting a new tone for our politics — one built on cooperation, strategy, and shared purpose. Together we are building a stronger front and shaping a future where unity delivers victory.”
Wetangula has also to contend with the fact that UDA, the leading partner in the Kenya Kwanza coalition, has also fielded a candidate, Elizabeth Murunga Situma.
While in other regions — Kasipul, Ugunja, and Magarini parliamentary by-elections — UDA and ODM have agreed to support the broad-based candidates on the ODM ticket, while in Malava constituency, ODM is supporting the UDA candidate.
This leaves Wetangula in a precarious situation in the emerging political realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.
UDA wrote on their Facebook page:
“UDA Chwele/Kabuchai MCA candidate Elizabeth Murunga Situma continued with her campaigns ahead of the upcoming November 27 by-elections. She sought the support of voters from Mukhweya and Chwele villages, urging the residents to support the government by voting her as their representative.”
Wetangula has been crisscrossing the ward in pursuit of votes and appealed to the electorate to support the Ford Kenya candidate.
He wrote on his Facebook page:
“This afternoon, in my capacity as the FORD–Kenya Party Leader, I joined the people of Chwele–Kabuchai Ward at Mukhweya Primary School Grounds for a campaign rally in support of our party’s candidate, Mr. Vincent Maunda, ahead of the upcoming November 27th by-elections.
I appealed for the support of our candidate while emphasizing the importance of electing a leader who understands the needs of the community and remains fully committed to driving development and strengthening effective representation.
Together with Bungoma Governor and Deputy Party Leader H.E. Kenneth Lusaka, Senator Wafula Wakoli, our Secretary-General Hon. John Chikati, and Members of the County Assembly led by Deputy Speaker Stephen Wamalwa, we called on the electorate to stay united and protect the political heritage of our great party.
We reminded the residents that the late Hon. Barasa Mukhongo served Kabuchai with loyalty, devotion, and distinction under the FORD–Kenya banner and therefore urged that it was only fitting that the party he represented continues to advance the progress and legacy he helped establish.
As we move closer to this crucial democratic exercise, I urge Kabuchai residents to uphold peace, respect diverse political views, and make informed decisions that prioritize our shared aspirations for growth and prosperity.
I reassured the residents that with collective support, Mr. Vincent Maunda will deliver better services, empower the community, and ensure Kabuchai remains firmly on the path of advancement.”
Wangamati has teamed up with Majimbo Kalasinga to challenge Wetangula’s political dominance in the county, and they are supporting Erick Wekesa.
Majimbo, currently at loggerheads with his party leader Wetang’ula, has teamed with Wangamati to ensure their candidate, Erick Wekesa, defeats Ford Kenya’s nominee in the ward elections.
Majimbo’s decision to support his own candidate in Chwele–Kabuchai Ward came after Wetangula openly attacked him for the first time.
The Speaker warned that anyone who goes against him risks losing his seat and gave examples of Wangamati, former Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, and former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi. He told Majimbo that his fate would be no different.
In response, the MP expressed deep disappointment with the Speaker, claiming he now fears for his life and a plot to attack him, pointing fingers at the National Assembly Speaker.
The ward has registered voters of 18,288 with a total of 37 polling stations. The polling station with the least registered voters is Khalaba with 109 voters, while Busakala polling station has 1,460.
For Wetangula, any slip in his village ward by-election could spell doom for his Ford–K and himself in Bungoma County politics, and that is why he must win the seat.
