Wetang’ula courts Panyako for Malava MP, edges out Mudavadi

National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula-led FORD Kenya has landed in Malava with a bang as it seeks to spread its tentacles in Mulembe nation.

On Sunday, there was an unexpected turn around as a delegation led by the Speaker, Kakamega county women MP Elsie Muhanda (ODM), Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe,(ODM), Kakai Bisau (Kiminini Mp DAP-Kenya) and Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera converged in the area.

The team, kicked out the media and blocked from covering the event held at former ODM nominated MCA Mildred Waluvengo’s home in Lukala area Shirugu-Mugai ward.

The entourage arrived at the home where over 500 delegates and about 200 locals had been mobilized.

Immediately after the arrival the Lugari Mp took issue with the media who had also come to cover the event ordering them to vacate the venue as he had not requested for their coverage.

The Media who had earlier been informed of the said meeting had visited the home and welcomed by the host and team Panyako who even disclosed the purpose of the visit to them and the possible outcome.

Panyako has been billed as the possible candidate who may clinch the Malava seat in the impending by-election.

In the last election, he garnered 20,000 votes against the late MP’s 22,000 in a hotly contested race that ended in the courts.

The chairmen of the 7 wards who aired their views on behalf of their respective wards, confirmed that they were ready to work with Ford Kenya to take over the Malava leadership.

Nabii Nabwera who was the meetings host, revealed that Panyako was their preferred candidate for the Malava seat as he had the zeal and experience of a leader.

Ford Kenya, a member of Kenya Kwanza, is seen to be secretly fielding its own candidate in Malava despite the late MP having been elected on PCS Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) before it was dissolved.

Political pundits have observed that the ANC votes for Malava could be beneficial in strengthening Ford Kenya dominance in the region as the voters have remained political orphans who are unable to decide which party to support as UDA continues to fast lose its popularity and rating in the constituency that saw Panyako decamp.

 Navakholo Mp Emmanuel Wangwe said the Western caucus was in full support of Panyako as the Malava Mp candidate and stated that the pack was behind the unionist.

Elsie Muhanda while branding the ‘Halala movement’, said they were backing Panyako to the legislature.

Wetang’ula revealed that he had dispatched Nabwera to court Panyako to vie for the seat via his party ticket.

He added that they were supporting William Ruto’s second term after which they expect his home turf  to support Mlembe nation which will be seeking the country’s leadership come 2032.

Elsewhere Panyako supporters have expressed hopes that the Ford Kenya ticket is a sure ticket to their leader and will catapult him into power as the next Malava Mp.