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Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula’s camp in Ford Kenya is on a mission to woo back a rival faction led by Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu.
Deputy party leader Richard Onyonka on Tuesday met with Bungoma Governor Patrick Wangamati for wide ranging talks that also touched on divisions that have rocked the party.
Onyoka told the Star he met Wangamati at his home in Bungoma to discuss a personal matter but they also talked about the factional wars in Ford Kenya and how the party could be strengthened ahead of 2022.
“I went to the home to discuss personal matters, but as the deputy party leader, we also discussed Ford Kenya. The governor said he does not see anything wrong if factions can talk and resolve outstanding issues,” he said.
Onyonka, who is the Kitutu Chache MP, was, however, categorical that Wangamati did not call him to his home.
“I went to discuss an issue I had with a friend of mine and after that, we went into discussions about the party. After the discussions, I briefed party leader Moses Wetang’ula,” he explained.
He noted that Wetang’ula said the matter could be taken to the National Executive Council and Parliamentary Group and if members agree, he would not have a problem.
“I have taken it upon myself to engage Eseli and Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and I believe at some point we are going to come up with a solution to our differences. My position is simple: We are better off engaging with members who disagree with us in the party than staying away from them,” he added.
When contacted, Eseli dismissed the meeting saying reports that there are reconciliation talks are propaganda.
“Onyonka met the governor on his private issue. It is Onyonka’s third term in Parliament and he has been elected on three different party tickets. Is that a person you can send for negotiations?” posed Eseli.
Onyonka explained that Wangamati did not say that they had decided to mend fences but was open to the idea.
“He did not say that they had decided to come back to the party. He said if Wetang’ula wants to have such a meeting and through a mechanisms discuss how people can come back together, there was nothing wrong since the party needs to go to elections united,” he said.
“In politics, you never have someone as a friend, neither do you have them as enemies. I think it is a good idea for us to sit down and discuss amicably.”
The Court of Appeal has yet to determine a case filed by Eseli and Wamunyinyi challenging last year’s June 25 High Court decision to issue conservatory orders staying the Gazette notice effecting leadership changes and restraining them from representing the party.
Justice James Makau suspended the implementation of a Gazette notice announcing the removal of Wetang’ula from the helm of Ford Kenya.
Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu had issued a notice announcing the intended removal of Wetang’ula. Wamunyinyi was to replace him.
In May last year, the NEC purportedly removed Wetang’ula as the party leader and replaced him with Wamunyinyi on an interim basis. The changes were contested by a section of the party leadership.
Wetang’ula moved to the High Court and he was temporarily reinstated.
-Edited by SKanyara
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