Bungoma Senator and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula has dismissed claims of his ouster as Ford Kenya party leader, condemning leaders who met, deliberated and announced his removal earlier on Sunday morning. Speaking moments after leaders led by Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and Tongaren MP David Eseli announced his removal, Wetangula said the meeting was unlawful and had been held by people who weren’t Ford Kenya NEC members, some who were airlifted from Mombasa, and Kisumu.
He said the real party National Executive Council has made a decision to discipline the party members, whom he termed, ‘truant and errant’, “This party is a bastion of democracy, our history as a party of change in this country is well known,” he said. The party secretary general David Eseli has been suspended and his position taken by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa in acting capacity. Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi has been suspended and his position taken by Vincent Kemosi Mogaka of South Mugirango. Nominated MCA Cynthia Mutere has also been suspended and replaced by Kakamega’s Roselida Andambi. He also faulted Governor Wangamati, MPs Eseli and Wamunyinyi, saying Ford Kenya isn’t a Bungoma affair but it’s a national party.
He further urged party members not to panic and dispelled any notion of a party coup, noting that coups are archaic, “Coups are activities of cowards.” He said any leader who wants to run for a seat in Ford Kenya including the seat of the party leader should file their papers and let delegates decide, and given that he has done a good job for the party, the party delegates will give him another term.