Tough battle for civic seat

The by-election for Kimilili North civic seat will be an acid test for Ford-Kenya and New Ford-Kenya parties.

The area has witnessed heightened campaign activities as both camps fight to win the seat.

Key political figures, among them Sirisia MP Moses Wetang’ula (Ford-K chairman), Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa (New Ford-K) and Kimilili MP Eseli Simiyu, have camped in the area to woo voters.

Mr Wetang’ula and Mr Wamalwa agree that winning the civic seat will be a show of might.

Mr Wamalwa says the civic seat will boost stakes for New Ford-Kenya ahead of next year’s elections.

But Mr Wetang’ula and his secretary general Simiyu said the by-election would show that Ford-K is still the strongest party in the area.

“We need the unity of our people to ensure we are not used by others. That is why we must win this seat,” said Dr Simiyu.

Ford-K and New Ford-K officials are fighting for numbers in Bungoma County. Both parties have opened offices in the county and embarked on recruitment of new members.

Split the votes

The Kimilili North ward fell vacant after the death of councillor Fred Barasa.

Kimilili ODM chairman John Chikati, however, predicted that his party would clinch the seat since the two factions would split their votes.

Three candidates in the race for the seat are Abdul Musumba (ODM), Benjamin Namuyemba (New Ford-K) and David Manyonge (Ford-K).