Wycliffe
Wangamati, popularly known as WW is becoming a household name in Bungoma county
politics.
His
move to invest in Bungoma county has politically intimidated Governor Kenneth
Lusaka whose political camp has been jolted by internal conflicts signaling an
impeding political tumult.
Wangamati is son of nominated MP and Luhya
Council of Elders chairman Patrick Wangamati.
After
the promulgation of the new constitution and the devolution structures were put
in place, Wangamati has chosen to invest in tourism in Bungoma county by
opening a hotel and supermarket.
To
endear himself to the locals Wangamati has in the recent past adopted
an-open-door policy to his staff and the public. A break from tradition of
handouts, Wangamati has chosen to create job opportunities to the county
residents with a spiral effect to the nine sub-counties hence presenting change
in a county that has been dragged down by the vexing problem of inept
leadership and job scarcity.
Wangamati’s
tactful relocation from the plush neighbourhoods to the dusty villages of
Sang’alo, Naitiri, Bumula, Cheptais throws up a host of political possibilities
for him, and it will be a sigh of relief for Governor Lusaka if the son of chairman of the Luhya Council of
Elders and nominated MP turns down the request from residents most of who voted
for Lusaka to the man to vie for Bungoma gubernatorial seat.
Stung
by the rising popularity of the youthful Wamangati, Lusaka has been in the past
frantically studying any possibilities that could by any chance reclaim the
lost glory and moral authority where initially dissent was crushed and
opponents kept away.
With
constant political pressure prevailing upon an interpretation of an army
general losing his soldiers to the opponents, Lusaka has limited options; and
his nerves are frayed given the popularity that Wangamati now wields.
Lusaka
fell out with majority of MPs and MCAs from Bungoma county. Spontaneous
outbursts have become common occurrence from elected leaders and disenchanted
members of the public in the county owing to his style of leadership.
Months
ago, the governor survived an impeachment after the leader of majority in the
Bungoma county assembly Henry Okumu shelved a motion he had drafted of
impeaching him as the first governor of the second largest county in Western
region after Kakamega county.
Thus
it has been strange though not surprising that members of parliament have been
whizzing disturbingly in the face of Lusaka with his deficiencies laid bare.
Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi recently wondered in the governor’s presence why
he had pulled a surprise that may
haunt
him to the grave by keeping silent despite having knowledge on few individuals
who in a deliberate attempt grabbed the historic posta grounds. Wamunyinyi has
since taken charge of all the protests against occupation of all public land in
his Kanduyi constituency where the governor has been silent.
Tongaren
MP Dr. Eseli Simiyu has on numerous occasions torn into governor Lusaka on
skewed development programmes in his constituency where all the roads have been
done by CDF including health facilities where the county government has done
minimal development.
Bungoma
senator Moses Wetang’ula has never had a cozy relationship with governor Lusaka
either. On numerous occasions Wetang’ula has been opposed to mis-allocation of
resources by the county government of Bungoma.
In
2012, Ken Makelo Lusaka popularly referred to as KLM burst into the political
scene having resigned from the public service where he had served in several
senior positions starting as a . Several
of his admires and critics dismissed his change of carrier as ill advised. Makelo is a name with roots in Busia County.
However,
in an unwavering determination, Lusaka defied all odds as a political new comer
using his advantages as vilified for – flamboyance and elitist mien – to
popularize his candidature for the gubernatorial seat and when campaign time
came, Bungoma county residents were treated to perhaps the most well oiled
contest between Lusaka former assistant minister Alfred Khang’ati and
journalist Wabwoba Walinywa, he (Lusaka) buried his political nemesis with a
land slide victory on a New Ford Kenya ticket associated with former cabinet
minister Eugene Wamalwa. .
In
moments of profound historical value, Lusaka became a household name,
commanding writings on the walls of heroic exploits with an overwhelming
250,000 votes thereby wielding power.
Buoyed
by his emphatic first win, his popularity and ego fought for space among top
political leaders of the populous Bukusu community, rivaling the Bungoma
senator Moses Wetang’ula after Eugene Wamalwa who was perceived the region’s
kingpin failed to vie for any elective position in the 2013 March 4th general elections.
Since
he captured the Bungoma gubernatorial seat, Lusaka has continued making
headlines, weathering monumental storms where he is now loved and hated in
equal measure. Some of his actions have created a rift between his supporters
and challengers, but he has always carried the day.
The
county budget appropriation bill did not go without fireworks after hitting the
national news over the alleged allocation of Sh500 million to fight
pornography. At one moment, he responded to his critics in an interview on a
local TV as malicious rumour by his critics. “This job is not easy, but all in
all, we must deliver despite the challenges,” he said.
Majority
leader Okumu has equally criticised Lusaka’s administration citing poor
maintenance of roads in the county at the expense of the taxpayers. Several of
Lusaka supporters during the campaign time have now turned against him on his
style of leadership and as it stands out, the same supportive wave he enjoyed
during campaign period last year is turning the tide.
Sex
scandals have bedevilled the county officers with questions being raised of how
certain forces have landed in plum positions. Tender awards and management
style of those in charge is wanting and continue to raise eyebrows.
To
show Lusaka is losing touch, even his party boss Wamalwa has been spotted in
deep discussions with the young Wangamati in Nairobi based five-star hotels.
Lusaka, a poor public speaker is accused of being an armchair governor and not
in touch with happenings on ground.
We
have information, bitter for failing to deliver services, the governor is to be
heckled by locals during President Uhuru Kenyatta planned visit in the region.
Uhuru is to award Kibabii University a charter to be a full fledged university.
Currently,
the university is a constituent college of Masinde Muliro University based in
Kakamega County. Lusaka boasts to be close to the president who attended his
home-coming party only for Uhuru to end up being humiliated by Kakamega
governor Bonnie Khalwale.
Those
planning to disrupt the Kibabii function are said to be targeting Lusaka but not
the president as it happened in Migori when Governor Okoth Obando was at the
centre of the storm during a presidential function.
Insecurity
is the order of the day in the county; the once vibrant sugar industry is
collapsing as Lusaka watches. Roads are in bad state. Education standards are
falling with locals openly cursing Lusaka whom they claim is a foreigner.
Local
MPs have been complaining about the events in the county. Many are slowly
weighing options and deserting Lusaka.
The
MPs from the county are Suleiman Murunga (Kimilili), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West),
Alfred Sambu (Webuye East), Otsyula Boniface (Bumula), John Waluke (Sirisia),
James Lusweti (Kabuchai), John Serut (Mt Elgon), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) and Wafula Wamunyinyi
(Kanduyi).
It is even whispered Wamunyinyi is under
pressure to go for governorship. Another name being mentioned is that of Dr
Mukhwana. In Nairobi, professionals have been meeting in an effort to monitor
happenings on ground and work on future plans. Businessman Robert Watangwa has
been instrumental in the talks that have seen Lusaka being condemned left and
right.
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