FORD-Kenya Distances Itself From Tim Wanyonyi’s Bungoma Governor Ambition

FORD-Kenya has firmly ruled out supporting Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi’s bid for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, distancing the party from claims linking it to his political plans.

Party leaders stated that Wanyonyi has no standing within FORD-Kenya, noting that he is neither a registered member nor involved in the party’s internal activities or reform processes. 

They insisted that the MP has no mandate to associate his political ambitions with the party.

Wanyonyi, who clinched the Westlands parliamentary seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket during the 2022 elections, is the younger brother of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who also serves as the leader of FORD-Kenya—a party that commands significant influence in Bungoma County.

Speaking on behalf of the party, FORD-Kenya chairperson John Chikati revealed that the party is already laying the groundwork to identify and field its own candidate for the Bungoma governor’s race. He made it clear that Wanyonyi is not among the individuals being considered.

Chikati criticised the MP for publicly declaring that he would not seek the Bungoma seat using the FORD-Kenya ticket, despite lacking any affiliation with the party.

“There is no way someone who has never been part of FORD-Kenya can speak as though they represent us. We will conduct nominations and pick our own candidate for the governor’s seat,” Chikati stated.

Webuye East MP Martin Pepela echoed the sentiment, accusing Wanyonyi of distancing himself politically from the party and crossing what he termed an “unacceptable line.”

Tim Wanyonyi, who was born in Bungoma County, has served as Westlands MP since 2013 and has been re-elected three consecutive times. In June, he announced that he had shelved his long-standing ambition to vie for Nairobi governor and instead resolved to contest for Bungoma’s top seat.

The MP described the move as a desire to serve his home county as he winds down his political career, expressing confidence that he would finally complete a gubernatorial journey that previously eluded him in Nairobi.

However, FORD-Kenya’s latest remarks suggest that Wanyonyi may face a difficult path should he seek Bungoma’s governorship without the party’s backing.