Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has dismissed any possibility of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula returning to vie for a political seat in Bungoma County, calling such a move a step backwards.

Speaking on a local radio station on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Wanyonyi argued that Wetang’ula’s current position places him at the centre of national leadership and that going back to seek a local seat would be a demotion.

 According to him, the speaker transitioned to national politics at the right time, and as the saying goes, one should leave the stage when the applause is loudest.

Wanyonyi recalled a conversation he had with Wetang’ula shortly after he was elected Speaker, during which Wetang’ula allegedly stated that there was no political seat in Bungoma that matched his current stature.

He added that positions such as senator or governor would not only be unsuitable but would also undermine the national leadership profile that Wetang’ula currently holds.

“Him going back to Bungoma would be demoting himself since it’s the desire of every leader to grow; him being appointed as speaker was the right time for him to quit Bungoma politics and assume the national politics, just like saying that you leave the stage when the cheers are at their highest,” Tim said.

He further noted that at the level Wetang’ula has reached, Kenyans are now speculating that he could either become President Ruto’s running mate in the next election or prepare for a presidential bid in 2032.

In his view, that is the direction Wetang’ula should be taking, not returning to regional politics.

Wetang’ula to retire

Wanyonyi concluded by saying that if Wetang’ula cannot embrace a higher national role, it would be better for him to retire altogether.

He warned that despite Wetang’ula’s current popularity in Bungoma, a return to local politics could lead to an electoral defeat, as the people may not support what they view as a backward move.

“I talked to him after he was elected as speaker, and he told me that there is no seat in Bungoma that he can vie for with the level he is now and that there is no way I can go back to vie for senator or governor position; it will be a demotion for him and the level that Wetangula is in now.

“People are desiring that maybe he can be Ruto’s running mate in the next election or prepare himself in 2032 to take over from Ruto,” he added.