Tim Wanyonyi vs Wetangula: Bungoma Power Struggle Deepens After By-Election Upset
The battle for political dominance in Bungoma has escalated into a high-stakes family standoff, pitting National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula against his younger brother, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi. The rivalry has intensified following a surprising outcome in the Chwele–Kabuchai ward by-election, which delivered a major blow to Wetangula’s Ford Kenya Party.
Independent candidate Erick Wekesa clinched the seat with a commanding lead over Ford Kenya’s Vincent Maunda, a result widely viewed as a direct challenge to Wetangula’s grip on Bungoma politics.
Shocking By-Election Outcome Exposes Cracks in Ford Kenya
The Chwele–Kabuchai vote sent tremors through the county’s political establishment, revealing deep-seated fractures in Ford Kenya’s influence. Emboldened by the upset, Tim Wanyonyi seized the moment to criticise unnamed leaders for attempting to impose their will on voters.
Speaking during a December 8 tour of Bungoma, Wanyonyi delivered a thinly veiled jab at his brother:
“There are people who believe they can get power by force. In Kabuchai here, when they tried that, it didn’t work.”
He accused senior county figures of arrogance, intimidation, and auctioning Bungoma politics to the highest bidder, signalling an unprecedented challenge to the Speaker’s long-standing authority.
Ford Kenya Rejects Wekesa — A Missed Opportunity?
Wanyonyi further claimed that Ford Kenya dismissed early advice to back Erick Wekesa.
“Someone took Erick Wekesa to the Ford Kenya party leader and told him to give the party ticket… he refused. You all saw how the election turned out.”
His statement amplified internal dissatisfaction within Ford Kenya and underscored the perception that the party’s leadership may have misread grassroots sentiment, inadvertently paving the way for Wekesa’s victory.
Wanyonyi Eyes Bungoma Governorship — The 2027 Showdown Begins
The Westlands MP is increasingly shifting his political base from Nairobi to Bungoma as he prepares a 2027 gubernatorial bid on an ODM ticket. His move sets up a potential duel with Wetangula-backed contenders such as:
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Former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati
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Kiminini MP Didmus Barasa
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Other Ford Kenya–aligned county leaders
Wanyonyi’s entry has already disrupted old alliances and reshaped local calculations, raising questions about whether Bungoma’s political loyalties remain tied to the Speaker — or are ready for a generational shift.
Wetangula’s Silence Speaks Volumes
Despite growing speculation, Moses Wetangula has maintained public silence on his brother’s ambitions. His neutrality has become a focal point of political debate, deepening suspicions of a widening family rift.
Ford Kenya still commands significant support, with:
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Governor Ken Lusaka
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Senator Wafula Wakoli
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Several MCAs and MPs
But Tim Wanyonyi’s persistent criticism of the party’s leadership — coupled with increasing grassroots enthusiasm — signals a looming battle for Bungoma’s soul.
A Family Feud With National Implications
What began as muted political divergence has now morphed into a defining contest of influence. The Wanyonyi–Wetangula rivalry encapsulates larger questions about:
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The future of Ford Kenya dominance
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The rise of independent candidates
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Bungoma’s shifting voter base
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Whether family loyalty can survive high-stakes political ambition
As the 2027 elections draw closer, Bungoma is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds in the country. Whether the family feud escalates or cools down remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: its outcome will reshape the county’s political landscape for years to come.