Moses Wetang'ula must resolve Ford-Kenya row

The Senate minority leader Moses Wetang’ula, Bungoma County Assembly Majority leader Majimbo Okumu (Left) and the assembly health committee vice chairman Chrisanthus Wechuli address the press at the Bungoma County Referral hospital PHOTO/STANDARD

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula has been quiet over the leadership wrangles in the party’s Trans Nzoia branch for the last three months.

The county is one of the party’s strongholds, and the Bungoma senator enjoys support there more than any other party leader.

The leadership tussle pits a team led by controversial human rights activist and former National Chairman of the NGO Council of Kenya Ken Wafula against another group led by Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi.

Mr Wafula’s team appears to have support of sub-location, location and sub-county Ford-K officials and members, while Mr Wanyonyi’s group is largely supported by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa, Senator Henry ole Ndiema, his nominated colleague Catherine Mukite and two nominated MCAs.

Wetang’ula is therefore in a dilemma. He has to choose between working with the majority rank and file, who are backing Wafula, or the MPs and their few followers.

Governor Patrick Khaemba has also maintained a studious silence, although he says he prefers grassroots election to be held, a position that is opposed by Wanyonyi and his group.

Wafula’s popularity in the party has risen due to his perceived courage and community mobilisation skills, and his consistency in addressing issues affecting the constituents.

Wetang’ula, as the party leader, must come to Trans Nzoia and help the party install a democratic leadership that can deliver in 2017.