By Isaac Mutiso, Bungoma
Former Bungoma governor Wycliffe Wangamati has said that he joined President William Ruto’s led Kenya Kwanza wing after he received a call from him (Ruto) requesting whether they could work together.
Wangamati served as the Bungoma governor between 2017- 2022.
In 2022 elections, Wangamati vied for Bungoma County gubernatorial seat on former CS Wamalwa’s led DAP-K party but he was floored by the current governor Kenneth Lusaka of Ford Kenya.
The appearance of the former county boss in a photo with President Ruto and UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala this week has ensued questions from Bungoma Ford Kenya MP’s and MCA’s where some have criticized former governor meeting President Ruto yet he was on the forefront to fight Wetang’ula.
Wangamati was among the coup plotters who wanted Wetang’ula out of Ford Kenya.
Others who supported the Ford Kenya coup were former Tongaren MP Dr. Eseli Simiyu and DAK-P deputy party leader and former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi.
“We don’t want a handshake here in Bungoma the same way we have maintained at the national level, those who ditched Ford Kenya and planned coups should not be accepted back in the house,” said Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has also announced to run for Bungoma gubernatorial race in 2027 on Ford Kenya party.
Recently, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has endorsed MP Barasa to run for the position, Barasa hinted at ditching UDA and joining Ford Kenya.
Speaking at a funeral service of Albert Wesonga in Bumula over the weekend, Wangamati said that he has no problem with those who were elected on the Kenya Kwanza affiliated parties noting that the President reached out to him requesting if they could work together.
“When I didn’t make to retain the Bungoma gubernatorial seat in the last elections (2022) I went to Nairobi to do my own things but the president reached out at me asking me if I could work with him, I accepted and went, we had a candid meeting with him over our working modalities,” Wangamati stated.
Wangamati noted that he has accepted to work with the President as he prepares to make a comeback in 2027.
He added, “My meeting with the President was not to sacrifice anybody but to discuss how we can work together to develop Bungoma and the Country,”
“I accepted the results outcome as it was announced by the IEBC that Kenneth Lusaka is the governor, I handed over power to Lusaka whom I have left and given him time to work for the people of Bungoma, May God give us life to plan for 2027,” he added.
In addition, Wangamati praised President Ruto for steering developments in the Country noting that Ruto delivered when he was the Minister for Agriculture.
“Ruto’s scorecard is known, you remember when he was the minister for Agriculture that tells you that he will still deliver as the President of the republic of Kenya,” he said.
Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah who was at the same funeral in Bumula slammed Wangamati for ditching Azimio for Kenya Kwanza saying that he is a coward
“I and former CS Eugene Wamalwa are very strong in Azimio. We are ready to be arrested but we shall stand to fight for the local mwananchi,” he said.
Wajackoyah called on the Luhya leaders who are in the government to support the region’s growth.
He also castigated the deputy president Rigathi Gachagua for telling the Western region that it has attained 30 percent that was promised by President Ruto.
In his reply, Wangamati told Wajackoyah that he had not visited the state house because the President had asked him that they meet.
“Please my friend Wajackoyah, don’t blame me so much I know in the event that Ruto calls to visit him at the state house you will go very fast, I went to see Ruto not that I’m a coward as you have referred but because it was my own wish,” Wangamati noted.
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa who was present at the funeral did not comment on the issue.
Ends
