Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka's absence from a high-profile event at Deputy President William Ruto's Karen residence on April 6, 2022, triggered uncertainty within the Kenya Kwanza coalition. The gathering, intended to unveil him as a Bungoma gubernatorial candidate, saw Ford Kenya party leaders including Moses Wetangula and MPs Majimbo Kalasinga and Catherine Wambilianga in attendance.
Lusaka failed to appear despite being scheduled to be formally introduced as a coalition nominee. His absence prompted Ford Kenya's Wetangula to instead announce Moses Kasaine Lenolkulal's inclusion in the UDA presidential campaign team. Ruto's office confirmed the event took place at the deputy president's residence, though Lusaka later claimed he was unavailable due to official duties.
According to reports, Lusaka was chairing the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) during the event. However, The Nation noted he had previously been advised against public association with Ruto's faction. In February 2022, Lusaka denied allegations of abandoning the Jubilee Party, stating he would announce his party allegiance by March 26.
In an interview with The Standard, Lusaka clarified he had only held a consultative meeting with Wetangula, rejecting claims of aligning with Ford-Kenya. Political analysts suggested the Bungoma governor race would intensify after Wetangula pledged support for Lusaka, vowing to challenge incumbent governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
A 2018 photo of Lusaka at a Nairobi public function was included in the original report.
