Sibling rivalry between National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has taken center stage after the two brothers found themselves on opposing sides of Bungoma's shifting political landscape.
The rivalry escalated after the Chwele–Kabuchai ward by-election, where independent candidate Erick Wekesa defeated Ford Kenya's Vincent Maunda by more than 4,000 votes, an upset that shook the Speaker's political base.
During a visit to Bungoma on Monday, December 8, Wanyonyi criticised area leaders for forcing themselves on locals, remarks widely interpreted as a direct jab at Wetangula's influence in the county.
"There are people who believe they can get power by force. In Kabuchai here, when they tried that, it didn't work," Wanyonyi said.
He argued that intimidation and arrogance cost Ford Kenya the seat, accusing local leaders of ignoring grassroots wishes, claiming that Bungoma was being auctioned by those in power.
Wanyonyi also alleged that Ford Kenya rejected an opportunity to back Wekesa early on, despite assurances he would deliver the seat, noting that party leaders were now blaming each other for the defeat.
"Someone took Erick Wekesa to the Ford Kenya party leader and told him to give the party ticket, and that he would have delivered the seat even without sweating, but he refused and denied him the ticket. You all know how the election eventually turned out," Wanyonyi noted.
The three-term Westlands MP has shifted his political base from Nairobi to Bungoma, where he is seeking the gubernatorial seat on an ODM ticket, setting up a potential showdown with candidates aligned to the Speaker.
Ford Kenya, which has long dominated Bungoma politics, is expected to field its own candidate, raising the possibility of a dramatic ballot contest between the brothers.
Current governor Ken Lusaka, Senator Wafula Wakoli, and other senior county leaders were elected on Ford Kenya tickets, further reinforcing the party's grip on local politics.
Wanyonyi, who previously dropped his Nairobi governor bid in 2022 to pave the way for Polycarp Igathe under Azimio, is now expected to face former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and Kiminini MP Didmus Barasa in the Bungoma 2027 race.
Since announcing his bid to become the Bungoma County boss, Wetangula has not publicly endorsed Wanyonyi's bid, fueling speculation of a widening political rift ahead of what could be one of Bungoma's most fiercely contested elections.
