Tension high ahead of Wetang'ula rally in Bungoma

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula [left], Member of County assembly for Jomvu Kuu, Karisa Nzai [centre] and Ford Kenya Mombasa county chairman Zadock Mbeya dance during a fundraising at Jomvu Kuu in Mombasa. The money raised is to assist youths and women from Western Kenya. 13th September 2015. [Photo Omondi Onyango/Standard]

Tension is high between Senator Moses Wetang'ula's and Governor Kenneth Lusaka's supporters ahead of Ford Kenya's planned rally tomorrow.

The rally is meant to address the alleged misappropriation of public resources through the recent purchase of wheelbarrows.

Mr Wetang'ula is the Ford Kenya party leader whereas Mr Lusaka is the New Ford Kenya party leader. The rally will be held at Posta Grounds.

In a short text message sent to this writer, Wetang'ula said they were planning the "mother of all rallies" but did not divulge any more information.

However, The Standard has learnt that the senator has not been content with the way Lusaka has been handling funds from the Treasury and the locally collected revenue.

Addressing the Press at his Kanduyi home two weeks ago, Wetang'ula accused the county chief of running the corruption ring which has denied locals any tangible projects.

"The county government had set a target of Sh1.4 billion for revenue collection each month but we are told they are collecting only Sh182 million. What we know is that these people are collecting more money and pocketing it, hence crippled development in the county," said Wetang'ula.

He called on Lusaka to explain why he had failed to initiate tangible projects yet the Treasury allocates the county a lot of money.

"We are the third most populated county hence we receive billions each financial year but the results of development are not visible. Let the money we allocate benefit the locals," he said.

However, Lusaka dismissed the planned rally as a recipe for chaos.

"We don't expect elected leaders to hold rallies at such a time of the year because it will cause bad blood and hatred for nothing. Elected leaders represent the locals and they should meet and talk not organise rallies to incite them," Lusaka said. New Ford Kenya Bungoma Branch Chairman Martin Nyongesa, said that the planned rally is causing animosity and raising political temperatures for nothing.

 storm office

"What do they want to address? Everything has been contained and people expect services not political rallies, let them give the governor time to implement his pledges," said Mr Nyongesa.

He condemned the alleged planned storming of the governor's office and asked police to be alert. But in a quick rejoinder, Ford Kenya Bungoma Chairman Wafula Wakoli dismissed Nyongesa's sentiments saying there is nothing like storming the governor's office but they will carry on with the rally peacefully to inform residents on how their resources are being misused. "We respect the rule of law and just want the leaders in power to account for what they are doing besides embezzling the county resources," said Mr Wakoli.