Candidates up their game in Bungoma race

 By Stephen MakaBila and Grace WekeSa

Four candidates battling it out for the Bungoma Senatorial race in the December 19 by-election have changed tack as campaigns gain momentum.

The four candidates were to hold another meeting with IEBC officials on Tuesday, after an earlier one planned for Friday was cancelled.

Among some of the issues to be dealt with at the Tuesday meeting are claims of voter bribery raised by Independent candidate David Makali and claims of Identification Cards (IDs) buying made by New Ford-Kenya candidate Musikari Kombo.

Immediate former Senator Moses Wetangula of Ford-Kenya campaigned in Mt Elgon, Kabuchai, Sirisia and Webuye and was yesterday in Bukembe area.

Wetangula said he will from this week comb all the nine constituencies, with an average of 8 to 10 rallies per day. “I have the suport of most County Assembly leaders and what I want is peaceful campaigns.

IEBC should zero in on those bribing voters and violating the law,” said Wetangula.

Wetangula, who was accompanied by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, former Asistant minister Alfred Khangati and Ambassador ( rtd) Jack Tumwa, asked his opponents to concentrate on issues and stop personal attacks on him.

Kombo of Amani coalition, who yesterday pitched tent in Webuye, said his team had resorted to a door to-door campaign and that they will hold less public campaign rallies.

The Kombo team has divided itself into five groups, one being led by Kombo himself, another by Webuye East MP Alfred Sambu. Kombo team .

The third group is led by former Justice Minister and New Ford-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa, while the fourth team is under Bungoma County Women Representative in Parliament Reginalda Wanyonyi.

The last group is made up of defectors from other political parties, who are now campaigning for the former Local Government minister. Kombo, who was in Webuye yesterday said: “We have covered all of the county in our initial campaigns and we are entering phase two. We have made good progress so far.”

He, however, complained of Ids buying in Tongaren constituency, saying: “We are worried there might be a scheme to enable fake voters participate in voting come December 19.” New Ford Kenya Party leader Wamalwa has also tightened the nuts and ever since the by election was called, he has been walking hand in hand with Kombo, making it almost appear as if he is fighting for his own political survival.

Wamalwa and Amani coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi have been spearheading Kombo’s campaigns while CORD leader Raila Odinga has been in the county to drum up support for Wetangula.

The two sides have exchanged bitter words over the last one week, with Mudavadi telling Raila to keep off Bungoma and Western politics while Wetangula declaring Mudavadi was politically irrelevant in the regional and national politics.

On Wednesday, Wafula Wamunyinyi dispatched a statement to newsrooms defending Raila from the UDF leader’s political attack.

The Kanduyi MP described Mudavadi’s attack as baseless and uncalled for, adding that the UDF leader lacked political vision. Mudavadi ran for the presidency in the last General Election but performed dismally even in his Western backyard.

But another shocking attack on Raila came from Federal Party of Kenya leader, Cyrus Jirongo, who also asked Raila to leave Western politicians decide their political destiny on their own.

“As Luhya leaders, we want to chart our own political destiny and we are not interested in being assisted by outsiders who should leave us alone. What role do outsiders have to with unity of our people?” posed Jirongo.

Makali, who held a meeting with his supporters and some leaders from various political parties, said his rivals were violating the electoral code of conduct.

“Voter bribery has persisted. Some candidates are campaigning in churches and funerals and all these violates the electoral code of conduct which must be observed by all candidates,” said Makali.

Another phase

He said he had entered phase two of his campaigns targeting the youth who are majority and that he was looking forward for a contest that is free and fair. Makali also disassociated himself from a complaint filed at the IEWEEK