Tim Wanyonyi edges out Wangamati, Baraza in Linda Mwananchi, takes front seat

The outgoing Westlands MP and Bungoma gubernatorial frontrunner Tim Wanyonyi on Friday made a major statement during the official unveiling of the Linda Mwananchi Movement (LMM) party head offices and secretariat in Nairobi.

Tim, the long-time right-hand man of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, has made it official and public that he is the man to beat in the race to succeed outgoing Bungoma governor Ken Lusaka on a Linda Mwananchi Movement platform.

Tim sent shockwaves across the country in the last elections when he declared his intention to run for governor of Nairobi as he amassed support across all communities living in Nairobi attracting the attention of State House and then president, Uhuru Kenyatta.

During countrywide rallies then, ODM supporters could be heard chanting his ‘Si Mimi Ni Sisi’ slogans in show of massive support for his bid due to his leadership and track record in Westlands for the last 14 years.

Ranked as the best performing MP for 5 consecutive years, his entry into the Bungoma gubernatorial race rattled local politics and reset the tempo.

For long, he was seen as a fence sitter with some of his opponents terming him a ‘tourist’ not knowing what lay beneath his surface.

When he publicly declared that he can never be associated with his brother Moses Wetang’ula-led and moribund Ford-Kenya party, most thought his cards were over.

Little did they know he was one of the unseen hands behind the fast-rising national appeal of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna after falling out with the Broad-Based Government arrangement that has failed to implement the NADCO report resolutions as well as the 9-point agenda.

On Friday, after months of sponsored campaigns claiming he was unwanted in LMM, Tim took the front seat during the unveiling of the LMM party’s offices and earned the endorsement of the designate party secretary general Caroli Omondi.

Tim has since indicated that he is firmly in LMM saying: “We now have a place to call home.”

When introducing dignitaries at the colourful event, SG Caroli introduced Tim as ‘the Bungoma governor candidate’ while he casually mentioned the others.

In LMM, other hopefuls include former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and auctioneer Zachariah Baraza.

Off all those who have indicated desire to run for the top Bungoma seat, only Tim has a formidable secretariat and campaign team and has already hit the road running with activities across the border county.

Already, he has initiated street and market lighting, empowerment programmes for women and youth and has offered a helping hand to schools and other institutions.

Just like in Westlands, Tim has rolled out programmes in education, health, employment and social welfare for the people of Bungoma.

No other aspirant has rolled out meaningful agenda for the people of Bungoma leave for public appearances.