Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD)-Kenya has said it has no plans to support Western MP Tim Wanyonyi in the Bungoma gubernatorial race in the 2027 General Election.
According to the Members of the party, Wanyonyi has no authority to claim that he is not going to vie under the FORD Kenya party ticket, yet he is not even a member of the party, and has never participated in any formal activities or reforms in the party.
Wanyonyi won the Westlands Parliamentary seat in 2022 on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, whilst his brother Wetan'gula is the leader of FORD-Kenya, which enjoys massive influence in Bungoma.
The party's chairman, John Chikati, has confirmed that the party is in the process of selecting its own candidate for the Bungoma Gubernatorial seat, and Wanyonyi is not an option.
"We are so sick that he says that he will not vie using a FORD Kenya rocket as if he is a member of the FORD. The party will have its own candidate who will face nomination and from whom we are going to select to be our Governor," Chikati said.
"My friend Tim has shown that he is not the person we thought he was, and that is why we are telling him that he has crossed the red line since you have clearly shown that you are not a friend of ours, and moving forward, we are going to handle you such, "Webuye East MP Martin Pepela said.
Wanyonyi, who was born in Mukwheya in Bungoma, was elected as Westlands Member of Parliament in 2013 and later re-elected in 2017 and 2022.
Earlier in June this year, the lawmaker claimed that he is no longer interested in the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat and he intends to run for Bungoma's top seat.
The MP, who said this during an interview on Monday, July 7, said that he is optimistic that serving people from his home county would be the perfect way to hang up his boots in the political arena.
"As Tim Wanyonyi, I’m ready to go and serve the people of Bungoma now. The stance is that in the next general elections, I will be vying for the Bungoma Gubernatorial seat,” Wanyonyi said.
The MP's declaration not to contest for the Nairobi gubernatorial position came as a surprise to many, given his earlier remarks that he was still motivated to do so even after failed attempts.
“I remember the last time I was running for the Governor of Nairobi, and I even launched my campaign. I remember I was even endorsed by pastors and also residents, and they assured me that they would support me,” the MP said.
“But when I went ahead, there emerged some complications that led me not to be on the Governor’s ballot paper, but I want to assure people that this time I will make sure I complete that journey,” he said.
