Ford Kenya Party Leader and National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Wetang’ula has called on residents of Chwele–Kabuchai Ward to turn out in large numbers and vote for the party’s candidate, Hon. Vincent Wekesa Maunda, in the forthcoming by-election.
Speaking in Chwele after attending a church service at Mukhweya Catholic Church together with other leaders, Dr. Wetang’ula said they had earlier joined worshippers in prayer and took time to remember the late Hon. Barasa Mukhongo, the departed MCA.
“We came here where we prayed for our son, the late Hon. Barasa Mukhongo, before we laid him to rest. May the Lord rest his soul in eternal peace,” he said.
The Speaker expressed his gratitude to the people of Kabuchai for their love and support, saying he drew strength from them as his home community.
“I was born here in this village, raised here in this ward, in this constituency, and in this great county of Bungoma. You people give me strength and love, and I thank you for always standing with me,” he said.
Dr. Wetang’ula recalled his close relationship with the late MCA, describing him as a humble and loyal leader who served the people of Kabuchai with dedication.
“You all know the journey I walked with the late Hon. Barasa, the son of Mama Milka. He was about three or four years younger than me but always called me ‘Dad’ because of the respect and love he had for me,” he said. “Barasa was very loyal. We nominated him as a councillor before he was later elected MCA. Since his nomination and election, he was never involved in any quarrels or disagreements with his colleagues. He served with humility and respect.”
The Speaker used the occasion to remind residents of the party’s enduring legacy, saying Ford Kenya had weathered many storms and remained strong due to the loyalty of its supporters.
“We as Ford Kenya Party elders remember that in 2002, the late Michael Wamalwa came to this very village and asked you people to give him yours truly to walk with. I walked with him until he left us as Vice President,” said Wetang’ula. “As a party, we have continued in the spirit of our past heroes such as the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Michael Wamalwa, and others. We must finish the journey they began.”
He noted that despite several attempts by “coup plotters” to take over the party, Ford Kenya had remained intact because of the unwavering support of its members.
“Some tried to overthrow this party, but they failed because of the strength and love our people have for Ford Kenya. This party is our heritage,” he added.
Wetang’ula also paid tribute to the late Hon. James Lusweti, the former Kabuchai MP, recalling how he began politics as his youth winger before rising through the ranks.
“We lost the late Lusweti, who started politics as my youth winger. When the Lord took him, we pleaded with you to elect Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga, who had vied three times without success and had never garnered more than 2,000 votes. I have never abused him since we helped him secure that seat,” he said.
The Ford Kenya leader appealed to residents to view the upcoming by-election not merely as a contest for Maunda, but as a reflection of their loyalty to the party and its leadership.
“This by-election is not about Vincent Maunda alone; it’s about Papa wa Roma. The whole country is watching. From being an MP, a member of the Speaker’s Panel, Assistant Minister, Minister, Senate Minority Leader, to now Speaker I urge you not to let me be embarrassed. If they chase me out there, you will be my refuge,” he said.
Dr. Wetang’ula encouraged the residents to trust in God’s timing, noting that destiny cannot be altered.
“What the Lord has planned for you will always be yours. The late Mwai Kibaki came to Parliament in 1963 and became President many years later. The same applies to President Ruto, who entered Parliament in 1997, faced many trials — even at The Hague — but later became President. What God has planned for you will surely come to pass,” he said.
The Speaker lauded the Kenya Kwanza administration for what he described as tremendous development progress, particularly in road construction and infrastructure across the Western region.
“A lot is happening on the ground in terms of development, and only those with eyes can see,” he said.
He added that as part of the broad-based Kenya Kwanza government, affiliate parties had agreed to support Ford Kenya’s candidate in the Kabuchai by-election based on the coalition’s internal strength and unity.
“Here in Kabuchai, the MP is Ford Kenya, the MCA who passed on was Ford Kenya, the Woman Rep, Senator, and Governor are all Ford Kenya. I beseech you to vote for Ford Kenya — this party is our heritage,” he emphasized.
Dr. Wetang’ula also remarked that before his passing, opposition leader Raila Odinga had agreed to support President William Ruto for two terms, after which the coalition would continue its political journey with unity of purpose.
“Even Raila, before he died, had agreed that we support Ruto for 2027, for his second term. After that, we shall continue with the spirit of the ‘handshake’ to take over in 2032. The urge for power is very strong it surpasses every other urge,” he noted.
He called for vigilance during the by-election, urging all Ford Kenya MCAs to monitor the process closely across the 21 polling stations in Chwele.
“Power is not something to joke about. I call upon the youth to guard Maunda’s votes and walk together to show Kenya that Chwele–Kabuchai remains the true bedroom of Papa wa Roma,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
