Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has labelled National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula as the most overrated politician within the Kenya Kwanza Alliance following his party’s poor showing in the recent Chwele Kabuchai by-elections.

The by-election, held in Wetang’ula’s home area, saw his preferred candidate, Vincent Maunda of Ford Kenya, lose decisively to independent candidate Erick Wekesa, who garnered 3,700 votes compared to Maunda’s 1,700, a margin of over 2,000 votes.

The outcome, according to Orwoba, highlights the decline of Wetang’ula’s influence even in his stronghold.

Also watch: Orwoba pushes Karish to challenge poll results

Orwoba argued that the results reflect a growing disconnect between Wetang’ula’s perceived political clout and his actual ability to deliver results.

She emphasised that the defeat of an MCA seat in his own backyard underscores the overestimation of his leadership and influence.

“Wetang’ula needs to come to a realisation that the falsehood he has been selling to people about how much of a politician he is has come to an end, for you to lose an MCA seat in your bedroom. Moses Wetang’ula, you are the most overrated politician in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance,” Orwoba said.

She further cited young upcoming politicians like Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, saying that they have demonstrated greater effectiveness than him, saying that even she is better looking for Salasya’s support than Wetangula.

Orwoba criticised his role as chairperson of the Parliamentary Service Commission, describing it as ineffective, and questioned why Kenya Kwanza still counts on him even after such an electoral setback.

Orwoba went on to urge the FORD Kenya leader that he should fold his party and merge with the UDA party, just as the prime candidate secretary Mudavadi did with his Amani National Congress (ANC) party.

Kalasinga’s view

Wetangula’s home area MP, Majimbo Kalasinga, has also come out to declare his waning influence in the region.

During a press conference on Friday, November 28, 2025, addressing Chwele Kabuchai locals and thanking them for their support, Kalasinga displayed a large banner depicting a crocodile tied around its neck and being dragged out of the water.

This was meant to illustrate that Wetangula, who had boasted of never being defeated and being the “stubborn crocodile”, has finally been pulled out of the water and rendered powerless.

According to Kalasinga, Wetangula is not what he claimed to be; his soft underbelly has been exposed, and he is now vulnerable.