This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
As the 2022 elections draw near, Bungoma county is witnessing a surge in interest among county executive members and chief officers to contest for parliamentary seats. This development is expected to heat up the political landscape in the region.
Mathews Makanda, the county executive member for agriculture, has announced his intention to challenge Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa in the 2022 elections. Makanda will also face off against his colleague, Patrick Wandili, the chief officer in charge of health and sanitation, who has also joined the fray.
In Bumula, county executive member Antony Walela will face off against incumbent MP Mwambu Mabonga in the 2022 elections. However, Walela is facing allegations of impunity, as he is under investigation for awarding a contract to his company to build a theatre in Bumula Subcounty Hospital.
In Webuye West, CEC Renson Makheti has expressed interest in contesting against MP Dan Wanyama in the 2022 elections. Makheti will also face off against his colleague, John Wasike, a chief officer in the agriculture docket. Makheti is facing allegations of graft, with claims that he swindled Sh1.5 million meant for a water project in Sitikho ward and Sh2.8 million for another water project in Bokoli, both of which are World Bank-funded.
Others in the Webuye West parliamentary seat race include Steve Wafula, Arnold Ndukuyu, and John Musndu. In Webuye East, Job Chelongo, the Bungoma county deputy chief officer, has announced his intention to contest for the Tachoni parliamentary seat, which he has lost twice before in 2013 and 2014.
However, Chelongo will face an uphill task, as he will have to compete against business tycoon Noah Chiuli. Webuye East is also set to witness a fresh face, as incumbent Alfred Sambu has decided to quit politics. Others in the race include Iyaya Wanjala, MCA Ali Balala of Maraka ward, Dan Simiyu, and Khakina Nyongesa.
Meanwhile, four Jubilee sub-branches in Bungoma county have differed over a coup staged against the branch chairman, John Waluke. Kanduyi sub-branch chairman Moses Sikuta claimed that the changes were long overdue, as the branch had become dormant. Sikuta also alleged that Waluke had failed to convene a meeting to review party activities for the last two years and that branch offices had been closed due to rent arrears amounting to Sh700,000.
