Bumula MP Jack Wamboka has welcomed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s decision to back former MP Mwambu Mabonga to contest the seat on a Ford Kenya ticket in the 2027 general election, saying he is ready for a rematch with his predecessor.
Mabonga, who lost the Bumula parliamentary seat to Wamboka of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) in the 2022 polls, is seeking to reclaim the seat with Wetang’ula throwing his political weight behind his bid.
The development sets the stage for a renewed contest between the two leaders as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking at Siloba Shina Primary School in Bumula during the launch of classrooms funded by Bumula NG-CDF, Wamboka said he was undisturbed by Wetang’ula’s decision to support his rival, maintaining that he is prepared to defend his seat when Bumula residents return to the ballot.
The opposition lawmaker welcomed the competition, saying the contest would provide an opportunity for voters to decide who should represent them in Parliament for the next five years.
On Friday, Mwambu organized Kenya Kwanza troops at Kimaeti primary school in Bumula for a women empowerment that was attended by Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, President’s aide Farouk Kibet, Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka and Senate majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot to drum up support for him.
However, Wamboka accused Wetang’ula terming him as the worst Speaker Kenya has ever had.
“As a speaker he should be neutral not going around the country, staging ‘fake’ empowerment forums as he plots for others’ downfall,” Wamboka said.
Wamboka rallied Wetang’ula to style up and emulate former Speaker Kennedy Marende and Kenneth Lusaka as speakers.
“We have two speakers who served this nation, that is Marende in the national assembly and Lusaka here in the senate, they left legacy in the two houses, but Wetang’ula is the worst speaker ever who takes sides in politics,” he said.
Wamboka revealed that his problem with Wetang’ula began when he questioned Ruto’s government of the 30 percent pledged to the Western region during the 2022 general elections.
He also cited his relentless support for Nairobi Senator and The Equity Party (TEP) party leader Edwin Sifuna’s Presidential aspirations as his other problem.
“My problem with Wetang’ula is that I’m supporting Sifuna for President and questioning Ruto of his promises made during campaigns,” Wamboka said.
Further, Wamboka dismissed Wetang’ula’s 2032 presidential bid, arguing that Luhya’s time is 2027, trashing Ruto’s pledge that he would hand over the mantle to Luhya’s after serving his term.
“Power is not handed over, it is looked for, these Kalenjin MPs the likes of Oscar Sudi and Aaron Cheruiyot are playing with Wetang’ula’s psychology because they are promising everybody that after Ruto they would support them for President,” he argued.
Wamboka argues that the MPs are all betting on Wetang’ula and DP Kindiki to take over from Ruto.
Wamboka announced his support for TEP leader Edwin Sifuna for the Presidential bid calling on the Western region to rally behind his bid.
On development, Wamboka said he has taken Bumula from far, accusing his predecessor for sleeping on the job in terms of Education and power connectivity.
“When I took over Bumula, it was number 9 out of 9 in Bungoma in terms of Education but today we are number three because our former MP did not prioritize funding Education,” he said.
In his address during the empowerment forum at Kimaeti Primary school, former Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga rallied Bumula residents to back his bid saying that Wamboka doesn’t understand public service.
“Let me tell you my Bumula people, the mistake you made is electing someone who has never been in public service and doesn’t not understand how the system works. His work is to make noise,” Mwambu argued.
