20-years on, Western yet to get one to fit into Wamalwa's big shoes

Focus is mainly on Wetang'ula and Mudavadi because of their senior positions in the ruling coalition though they have not found the fitting size of the Wamalwa's shoes that in 20 years.

But does their clout come close to Wamalwa's? Prof Masibo Lumala, the director of the School of Information Sciences at Moi University, argues that Wamalwa was a notch higher than the current leaders.

"There was a process that elevated him to that top level which included being nurtured by Masinde Muliro and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga," says Prof Lumala.

He recounts how the late VP also fought quite hard against ODM leader Raila Odinga to own Ford Kenya and take over as both chairman and party leader which was not a walk in the park.

And so by the time he was joining hands with the late President Mwai Kibaki and Charity Ngilu to register the National Alliance of Kenya (NAK), it was clear there was no other person who was better than him politically in the western region.

The current situation is, however, a bit tricky because there is a clear-cut point person between Wetang'ula and Mudavadi although on one hand there is that feeling that by being Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS), the latter should be the regional kingpin.

That should apply in an ideal situation but constitutionally, Wetang'ula the man voters in western have given the moniker Papa wa Roma is number three behind the President and Deputy President by virtue of being National Assembly Speaker.

In that pecking order, Wetang'ula should be a heartbeat away from the president especially because there is an argument that the PCS office is not recognized in law.

When Kijana Wamalwa addressed at mamoth crowd in 1995. [File, Standard]

He thinks Wetang'ula is trying to strengthen the party by working with MPs from the region to strengthen its reach in Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia.

The Speaker has also had some little battles along the way before he took full control of Ford Kenya which under previous chairman Musikari Kombo had shrank into an empty shell with only one MP in Parliament.

He fought a tough fight with Kombo and later with Eugene Wamalwa before party found its footing again until last year when another attempt was made by the Jubilee administration to take over the party, an attempt he thwarted in court.

Wetang'ula, is noe engaged in frequent tours of the entire western region while accompanied by almost all MPs from the region and has held several fundraising meetings in Kakameg, a strategy Andati argues is working in his favour.

"He has taken the harambee approach but is also receiving delegations at his Kanduyi home, which is a good strategy in terms of building on the gains he made by delivering votes to Kenya Kwanza in Bungoma and Trans Nzoia," added Andati.

He also performed better than Mudavadi and delivered crucial votes to President Ruto which helped him against Raila last year by the slimmest of margins.

Comparing the two, Andati thinks Mudavadi is doing very badly because he has not done anything to consolidate and place his ANC party in a strong position.

The ANC is currently chaired by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and has lost some key members like former Kakamega Senator County Cleophas Malala.

Apart from handing over the party to a busy governor, the analyst thinks Mudavadi also goofed when he picked MPs Omboko Milemba (Secretary General) and Beatrice Adagala (Vice Chairman) both from his home county of Vihiga.

At the memorial function in Kitale, Mumias East MP Peter Salasia and Azimio principal George Oluchiri Wajackoya told the congregation they will support Eugene's bid in 2027.

It is, however, highly expected that Raila will throw his weight behind Kalonzo Musyoka but it is the running mate position that has generated debate among pundits with the names of Karua, Eugene and even Wetang'ula' name pops up.