Emmanuel Wangwe's second term rides on Jubilee's promises

Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe is hinging his re-election in August on the Jubilee administration’s pledge to tarmac the 31km Lurambi-Navakholo-Musikoma Road.

The project, expected to be completed in two years at a cost of Sh300 million, was launched on November 15, 2016, by President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

However, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula have asked voters in the region to reject MPs who have ditched their parties to join Jubilee.

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has also made several campaign forays to the constituency, urging voters not to make the mistake of backing the Jubilee government on account of many of its unfulfilled promises.

Equally, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has been firing salvos to discredit the promise made by the government to tarmac the road eight months before the polls.

Dr Khalwale is of the opinion that the Jubilee government is desperately trying to use the project “as a ploy to hoodwink communities in Kakamega County” in an attempt to win their support.

In the meantime, the possibility of Mr Mudavadi being picked as the candidate to fly the National Super Alliance (Nasa) flag in the August elections could significantly influence voting patterns in the constituency.

POLITICISING PROJECTS
Mr Wangwe said he will seek re-election on a Jubilee ticket irrespective of whether Mr Mudavadi is picked as Nasa candidate or not.

“If Musalia is given the mantle to contest the presidency on a Nasa ticket that will be a good thing for the Luhya community. He is a strong candidate and has matured politically,” he said in an interview with the Nation.

But the MP said such a decision will not have any bearing on his association with the Jubilee Party, since he is confident President Kenyatta would win with ease.

“I was voted an MP by my people to solve the problems they face and not just to sit back and waste time engaging in politics without any meaningful agenda,” Mr Wangwe said.

Navakholo has a population of 137,166 people according to the 2009 national census and covers an area of 257.9 square kilometres. 

Sugar cane farming is the main cash crop besides maize and beans.

Several aspirants have so far declared interest in the parliamentary seat including MDP leader Amisi Omukanda, who lost narrowly to the MP in 2013.

Others are ODM’s Vance Udoto, Prof Moni Wekesa, Dr Simbauni Ndombi of ANC and Ford-Kenya’s Leonard Mayende and Mr Livingstone Karakacha.

Mr Wangwe, who was elected on a UDF ticket in the 2013 polls, has accused Senator Khalwale of unfairly discrediting the road project.  

The MP and four of his counterparts, Mr Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Mr David Were (Matungu), Mr Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani) and Mr Malulu Injendi (Malava) are spearheading Jubilee campaigns in Kakamega County.

Mr Wangwe said it is wrong for Dr Khalwale to politicize and undermine efforts by the government to initiate development projects beneficial to communities in the region.

PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT
The lawmaker said his decision to embrace the Jubilee Party was influenced by the promise President Kenyatta and his deputy gave to have the key road linking Kakamega and Bungoma counties upgraded to bitumen standard.

“Since independence, residents of Navakholo have been promised that the road would be tarmacked but the promises have remained unfulfilled. I want to make a difference by keeping my promise to them,” Mr Wangwe added.

The uncertainties surrounding the project have been dispelled after the contractor moved on site and started opening up the road at Nambacha market.

Mr Wangwe said the project would be a big factor in shaping campaigns for the Navakholo seat, but he is confident of clinching victory for a second term.

“When the deputy president attended my victory party in Navakholo Constituency after the 2013 polls, one of the things I told him then was that we are ready to work closely with the government if the road is tarmacked,” he said.