A new stanza in the musical chairs of the latest installment of a long dragging Ford Kenya coup. This time, another battle lost for Wamunyinyi Ford Kenya as Wetangula Ford Kenya win big at the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT).
Among the Luhya, when one has a dispute with their wife, they cannot just up and kick her out. A proper Luhya man, omundu strong, is expected to instead pursue elaborate, well meaning community structures designed by our forefathers to remedy any trouble that arises in matrimony. However grave the mistake, if they were to lose their head and irrationally, then, the sword of justice had to cut both ways. The man, aggrieved or not, would suffer the clans wrath atop the pain of their wife\’s indiscretions. In many ways, this appears to be the message of the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal to Ford Kenya rebels led by MPs Dr. Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) and Omwami Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi).
Ford Kenya Party statement on PPDT ruling
1. In a major victory for the Ford-Kenya leadership under Senator Wetangula @Wetangulam, the Political parties dispute tribunal has today ruled against the Coup Plotters led by Hons. Wamunyinyi, Eseli and their cohorts.
2.The PPDT in a landmark ruling directed the coup Plotters and their agents to first use internal dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve party wrangles before heading to court.
3. The ruling is another of the many blows that the coup Plotters have suffered in the corridors of Justice. Similar rulings are expected in the coming days as the judiciary sends a strong signal to violent party members that party management is a matter that is governed by set laws rules & procedures.
4. The judiciary is strongly warning party factions to abandon the path of goonship and anarchy and embrace constititutionalism and elections.
The petition itself was an act of desperation by the coup Plotters after their failed coup plot unraveled spectacularly.5. This led to their abandonment by their shadowy financiers and enablers who were quick to recognize the strength of Senator Wetangula and the mainstream Ford Kenya leadership who enjoy the confidence and support of the party membership.
6. I take this opportunity to urge all party faithful to rally behind the legitimate leadership of Ford- Kenya as we consolidate our support to actualize the grand march to Statehouse that the late Wamalwa Kijana envisioned.
7. We equally welcome any members who may have been misled by the renegade coup Plotters back to the party fold.
8. To Hons. Eseli & Wamunyinyi and their dwindling crop of misguided putchists, We urge you to turn back from the destructive path you have embarked on. There is always room for forgiveness and reconciliation as long as you accept your betrayal and apologize to party members.
Statement by Dr. Chris Wamalwa, MP Kiminini constituency, Ford Kenya Secretary General.
This ruling by the Political Party Tribunal must be particularly sweet for Wetangula\’s Ford Kenya for many reasons.
Kabuchai
First, it affirms victory for Wetangula\’s Ford Kenya in the Kabuchai by election. Wetangula\’s Ford Kenya candidate not only won convincingly, but Wafula Wamunyinyi and company couldn\’t even rise up to the occasion and field a candidate – full frontal or by proxy.
If there\’s was any doubt at who between Wamunyinyi and Wetangula has the keys to Ford Kenya\’s bedroom, that has been conclusively laid to bed.
Kutalangi
Secondly, the PPDT ruling solidifies Wetangula\’s domain as the Kutalangi of Bungoma politics – a base of 559,850 registered voters (IEBC, 2017). With Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa on his side, his influence spreads beyond Bungoma to the other base of Bukusu politics, Trans Nzoia county with 339,622 registered voters (IEBC, 2017). Not forgetting diaspora Bukusu votes in Kakamega, Nairobi and elsewhere.
Presidential bid?
Third the grapevine informs us that Wetangula like a good political operative exploited the coup to solidify power. He did this by mending fences with key politicians including the big fish- Senate Speaker Kenneth Makelo Lusaka. In Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, Wetangula has a young vibrant incumbent who if he keeps ship will be a valuable asset with the young crowd.
Not only has Weta solidified his base, but shared embrace with old friends. If any of the so called coup plotters see Mecca and have a change of heart, then it shouldn\’t be so out of reach to envision not only a revamped Ford Kenya, but Weta For President 2022 up in the lights. But still, there\’s the \’little\’ matter of a stuttering Mukhisa Kituyi to contend with.