Eric Wainaina @EWainaina

The wrangles in Ford Kenya have taken a new twist after some members of the Kanduyi lawmaker Wafula Wamunyinyi and his Tongaren counterpart Eseli Simiyu faction moved to mend fences with the party leadership.

The members are said to have sought the help of Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati to act as an intermediary between them and the party leadership.

On Monday, Wangamati is said to have held a meeting with the party’s deputy leader and Kitutu Chache lawmaker Richard Onyonka, the second one in two weeks, and according to party sources “had a discussion on the possibility of the party rebels returning to the fold.”

 “In the discussion, the two exploited ways of bringing Wafula Wamunyinyi and Eseli Simiyu to the fold under the leadership of Wetang’ula,” a source in the party told People Daily yesterday.

He added that the meeting between Wangamati and Onyonka also focused on strengthening the part ahead of the 2022 General Election.

Onyonka told People Daily that negotiations to reunite the two factions were underway. Wetang’ula, the source revealed, was aware of the ongoing talks and was due to issue a communication later.

Focus on next polls

“Yesterday, April  27, 2021, I was invited by Bungoma Governor Wangamati to a meeting. 

We discussed some personal issues about our party.  In our discussions, we encouraged his group to embrace the party under the leadership of our  party leader  Senator Moses Wetang’ula so that we can strengthen the party  ahead of the 2022 General Election. I have briefed my party leader accordingly,” Onyonka said.

But yesterday, Wamunyinyi rubbished the reports, saying he was not interested in reaching out to Wetang’ula. He claims that he is still in office and accused Wetang’ula of being an “impersonator” as far as the party leadership is concerned.

Wamunyinyi maintained that he is the party’s leader.

“I cannot do that (reach out to Wetang’ula). That is false, nonsense and propaganda by that group. As far as I am concerned, I am the party leader until such a time the court rules otherwise. 

“And even if it does, it cannot overrun the decision of the members. That (Wetang’ula) has destroyed this party, and then continues to masquerade as our leader which he is not should not be allowed,” he said.