Some FORD-Kenya party members in Trans Nzoia County are divided regarding the endorsement of Governor Patrick Khaemba, with some supporting his re-election and others against the move. This comes after Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa endorsed Governor Khaemba for a second term in office, promising to offer him his support in the coming General Elections.
Dr Wamalwa, who was a fierce critic of Governor Khaemba in the past, endorsed him before Party Leader Moses Wetangula in a meeting in Kiminini constituency. However, gubernatorial aspirants in FORD-Kenya party have criticized the endorsement made by the Kiminini MP, terming it as premature and a move that may kill internal democracy of the party.
Andrew Wanyonyi and Moses Khaoya-two gubernatorial aspirants in the County-have urged Wamalwa to stop interfering with the FORD-Kenya party affairs since he isn’t contesting for the gubernatorial seat.
The two disclosed that the Kiminini MP supported St. Anthony’s Principal Cosmas Nabongolo, “Dr Wamalwa supported St Antony’s Kitale principal Cosmas Nabongolo and he was the major criticizer of Governor Khaemba. The two moved around the whole County telling electorates to support them, and we are wondering now what happened,” said the two.
They told him to carry his own cross and face off with Principal Nabongolo as a Kiminini aspirant and promised to back the Principal for the coming Member of Parliament position at the constituency of Kiminini.
However, Governor Khaemba appealed to the party’s top management to give him a direct ticket. Khaemba complained about the poor leadership of the party within the County saying the leaders can’t be trusted and appealed for stiffer action to be taken against the leaders who he said have been frustrating his efforts in the party.
FORD-Kenya Party leader Moses Wetangula distanced himself from the issue of direct nominations, calling for sobriety amongst the party leaders. He added that the nominations slated for this month will go on as planned, disclosing that it’s the elections board that will deal with party nominations.
