A deep political rift is tearing through one of Western Kenya’s most influential families, revealing how power and loyalty can supersede blood ties.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has quietly but firmly declined to back his younger brother Tim Wanyonyi’s gubernatorial bid for Bungoma in 2027, exposing widening cracks between the siblings.
What began as a private disagreement has now spilled into the open, with Ford Kenya leaders issuing blunt warnings that Tim’s ambitions will not enjoy party shelter or family goodwill.
Political Rift Hardens Over Tim Wanyonyi Gubernatorial Bid
At the centre of the fallout is Ford Kenya, the party Moses Wetang’ula leads and which commands significant influence in Bungoma County. Party officials have openly stated that they have no plans to support Tim Wanyonyi’s gubernatorial bid, dismissing claims that he can dictate the terms of his candidature. The message from Ford Kenya headquarters is unmistakable Tim Wanyonyi is not a member of the party and therefore cannot expect its endorsement.
Party chairman John Chikati confirmed that Ford Kenya is already preparing to field its own candidate for the Bungoma gubernatorial race. According to Chikati, the party will conduct internal processes and nominations to settle on a flag bearer, and Tim Wanyonyi is not under consideration. His remarks underline how decisively the party has shut the door on the Westlands MP’s ambitions.
The refusal is widely seen as a direct reflection of Moses Wetang’ula’s stance. While the Speaker has avoided dramatic public statements, his grip on Ford Kenya means the party line mirrors his political will. In Bungoma, where Wetang’ula’s influence remains formidable, that position could significantly shape the 2027 contest.
Ford Kenya Draws Battle Lines Against Tim Wanyonyi
Ford Kenya leaders have gone beyond procedural arguments to deliver stinging political rebukes. Webuye East MP Martin Pepela accused Tim Wanyonyi of crossing a red line by presenting himself as a Ford Kenya insider while operating outside its structures. Pepela’s remarks signal a deeper sense of betrayal among party loyalists who feel Tim has treated Ford Kenya as a convenience rather than a political home.
Such statements reveal how the dispute is not merely about party membership but about loyalty and respect. Ford Kenya insiders argue that Tim Wanyonyi has never participated in party reforms, meetings or grassroots mobilisation. To them, his sudden interest in Bungoma leadership appears opportunistic, especially after years of building his career in Nairobi politics.
This hardline position effectively locks Tim Wanyonyi out of the Ford Kenya machinery, a serious setback in a county where party networks and ethnic alliances play a decisive role during elections.
Brothers on Opposite Political Paths
The rift between Moses Wetang’ula and Tim Wanyonyi reflects contrasting political journeys. Wetang’ula has anchored his career in Western Kenya, cultivating Ford Kenya into a regional force and leveraging it onto the national stage. Tim, in contrast, has built his profile in Nairobi, winning the Westlands parliamentary seat in 2013 and retaining it in 2017 and 2022 on an ODM ticket.
Their divergence has long fueled quiet tensions, now amplified by Tim’s declaration that he will abandon Nairobi ambitions to pursue the Bungoma governorship. While Tim frames the move as a desire to serve his home county before retiring from politics, critics see it as a late attempt to tap into Bungoma’s power dynamics without laying the groundwork.
For Moses Wetang’ula, backing such a bid would risk undermining Ford Kenya’s authority and confusing its support base. Political observers note that the Speaker is unlikely to sacrifice party cohesion to accommodate a sibling whose loyalty remains with ODM.
Bungoma Race Set for Fierce Realignment
Tim Wanyonyi’s announcement that he will vie for Bungoma’s top seat caught many by surprise, especially after his earlier insistence that he remained motivated to contest the Nairobi governorship. His past failed attempts in Nairobi, which he attributes to complications during nominations, have only heightened scrutiny over his latest move.
Without Ford Kenya support, Tim Wanyonyi’s gubernatorial bid faces an uphill task. Bungoma politics is heavily shaped by party endorsements, clan alliances, and established local networks. Ford Kenya’s decision to field its own candidate suggests the party is preparing for a bruising contest that will test its dominance against ODM-linked entrants.
The unfolding family fallout adds a dramatic layer to the race. Voters will be watching closely to see whether blood ties can be repaired or whether political calculations will continue to trump kinship. For now, the signal from Moses Wetang’ula and Ford Kenya is firm: Tim Wanyonyi will have to fight his Bungoma battle without their blessing.
As 2027 approaches, the standoff underscores a harsh truth in Kenyan politics loyalty to party and power often outweighs family bonds, even among the most prominent political dynasties.
