No room for dynasties: Wangamati rejects Tim Wanyonyi’s Bungoma gubernatorial bid
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 21, 2025Wycliffe Wangamati has dismissed Tim Wanyonyi’s Bungoma gubernatorial bid, arguing that the county cannot be turned into a monarchy dominated by the Wetang’ula family.
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Wangamati stated that meaningful development in Bungoma will only be realised if residents move away from the influence of the Wetang’ula family and Ford Kenya.
He accused the Speaker of the National Assembly of attempting to impose his brother on the county as the next governor, terming it a form of political entitlement.
“Come 2027, if the people of Bungoma want meaningful development, then the Wetangula family and Ford Kenya must go. I have worked with these people; I know them.”
“Mmeona juzi tena ile madharau ambayo Wetangula ako nayo anatuletea ndugu yake ati asimame ugavana hapa Bungoma. We are saying clearly that we as Bungoma people maneno ya kingdom, maneno ya monarchy, maneno ya project ya Ford Kenya hatutaki hapa Bungoma,” Wangamati said.
Wangamati drew parallels to the events of 2007, when former President Daniel Arap Moi attempted to introduce his three sons into elective politics in Baringo, only for the electorate to reject them. He expressed confidence that the people of Bungoma would similarly reject what he described as a political dynasty in 2027, insisting that leadership should not be confined to one family.
“I want to remind Wetang’ula that in 2007, Moi tried the same in Baringo by bringing his three sons to vie for elective seats in the county, but the people rejected all of them.”
I want to tell the people of Bungoma that in 2027 Bungoma people will reject the Wetangula family. This is not a monarchy; this is not a kingdom,” he added.
Wetangula’s presidential quest
Wangamati has also thrown cold water on Wetang’ula’s recent presidential announcement, saying that he is not serious and it’s his plan to stay relevant till 2032.
“Nimeona mheshimiwa wa National Assembly akitembea hii county akisema ya kwamba atawania urais 2032, na leo nimesema wacha nimongeleshe na nimwambie kuwa yeye kwa roho yake hatafanya hivyo, hatawania urais, mambo yake ni kudanganya wana Bungoma, ndio akae kwa uongozi hadi 2032.” Wangamati stated.