By Anderson Ojwang
Ford-K, the party of multi-party reforms, could finally be sliding to join its founders, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and former Vice-President, the late Wamalwa Kijana.
Ford-K, whose slogan is Simba, can no longer roar in the jungle and recently suffered a devastating defeat during the Chwele-Kabuchai ward election, which was won by an independent candidate, Erick Wekesa.
In a show of triumph and use of imagery, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga displayed a photo of a hapless crocodile tied with a rope on its neck, being dragged out of its natural habitat, the water.
This was in reference to Wetangula, who politically refers to himself as either “a stubborn crocodile” or “a crocodile that is hard to deal with”.
The usage of the phrase is to affirm his political masterclass and influence in Bungoma, implying that he is a hard nut to crack and that anyone who goes against him suffers severe political consequences.
For Kalasinga, “the stubborn crocodile” has finally been out-fixed, out-matched and dragged out of its natural habitat to die and has been rendered powerless.
Consequently, the Lion failed to reclaim the seat and even the presence of the party leader, who cast his vote at his local polling station, did not stop the humbling loss to the independent candidate, who was fronted by his political rivals.
It was a sweet victory to Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and former Bungoma Governor Wycliff Wangamati.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who campaigned for the Ford-K candidate Vincent Maundu, made an about-turn saying the by-election has pointed the political direction for the region.
Barasa wrote on his X handle: “Kabuchai-Chwele has pointed the direction. I reject any fate that would have me drown alongside a man already lost to the raging floods.”
During the campaigns, Barasa said they were united under the Kenya Kwanza umbrella and collectively resolved to support the Ford Kenya candidate.
He wrote in his X handle: “Today, after engaging the people of Kabichai-Chwele ward, we have resolved to support the Ford-K candidate, Hon Vincent Maunda, as the incoming MCA. United under the Kenya Kwanza umbrella, we stand together, focused on delivering trusted leadership and a progressive future for our community. The will of the people remains our guiding force.”
But when he sent out a congratulatory message to Wekesa, Barasa said he had learnt his lesson.
He wrote: “Congratulations to Eric Wekesa, MCA-elect. To our people, my heart brims with gratitude for your love and support. I salute you and humbly accept your will. We’ll embrace the lessons learned to drive improvement and a brighter future.”
Westlands MP and younger brother of Wetangula, Tim Wanyonyi, said the will of the people is always supreme in any democracy.
He wrote in his X handle: “The will of the people is always supreme in any democracy. As for the people of Chwele-Kabuchai, your voice has been heard loudly.”
Wangamati said the Chwele-Kabuchai by-election results demonstrated that Bungoma residents were fed up with Wetangula’s leadership and desired change.
It could be a new dawn for Bungoma residents after the electorate spoke at the ballot and altered the political terrain of the region.
For the first time in two decades, Wetangula and his party Ford-K suffered a resounding home defeat at Chwele-Kabuchai ward to his emerging rival, Natembeya.
DAP-K wrote on its Facebook page: “Pale Kabuchai, Mamba amezama, katika mazingira yake (Kabuchai, the crocodile has drowned in its own environment). Even crocodile can die in water so trust me, bad days happen to everyone. Mamba kesha zamaa (crocodile sleep well).”
Wekesa’s defeat of Ford-K’s Maunda could redefine the region’s politics and establish Natembeya as the possible new king of the jungle.
The by-election was so important to Wetangula that he was on the ground to vote and ensure the results went according to his wish.
Wetangula wrote in his X handle:
“This morning I cast my vote at Namakhele Primary School during Chwele-Kabuchai ward by-elections.
I urged our residents to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right, without fear, assuring them that adequate security officers have been deployed across the area.
I also encouraged voters to remain vigilant and promptly report any unusual or suspicious activities to the authorities.”
How the victory was plotted and what it means to Wetangula
Natembeya led a team of politicians from the region who had fallen out with Wetangula and rallied behind Wekesa, who was popular in the area.
The plot involved making hard sacrifices and prevailing on some of the candidates to withdraw in favour of Wekesa.
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.”
A week to the election, Natembeya had prevailed on the DAP-K candidate Phanice Waswa to step down in favour of Erick.
Natembeya wrote in his X handle:
“DAP-K’s Phanice Waswa has today stepped down in favour of Erick Wekesa in the upcoming Chwele-Kabuchai ward by-election, a powerful show of unity and maturity in leadership.
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.”
