Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka has opened up on how he had a hard time before making the decision to join the FORD Kenya party that is led by his longtime rival-turned-ally Moses Wetangula.
Addressing party delegates in Bungoma on Monday, May 3, Lusaka claimed he had been under intense political pressure from forces he did not name - but who wanted him not to join the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
The 59-year-recalled how he did a lot of soul-searching before settling on his gubernatorial campaign vehicle ahead of the August 2022 polls.
“I can tell you I had sleepless nights, I was under intense pressure from those who wanted me to take a different political direction but we talked, and after considering all the parties I decided to settle on Ford Kenya” he stated.
Lusaka, who is seeking to regain Bungoma Governor's seat which he held between 2013 and 2017, stated that his choice was informed by Ford-Kenya’s heritage in the region and as the second oldest party in the country after the Kenya African National Union (KANU).
“I examined all the parties and found Ford Kenya is the second oldest party in the country, so I decided to join the party and represent our heritage. I am not here accidentally, I have made a conscious decision which I don’t regret” he explained.
Lusaka also campaigned for Wetangula - terming him as one of the best debaters in the Senate and urged voters in the county to re-elect the Senator for a third term.
Earlier in February, the Senate Speaker caused confusion after he denied joining Ford Kenya after party officials had already issued a public announcement.
Lusaka and Wetangula had for long had frosty relations but found themselves on the same ship after the Ford Kenya party leader joined Kenya Kwanza, whose leader, Deputy President William Ruto enjoys a cordial relationship with the Senate Speaker.
In the 2017 General Election, Wetangula successfully led the campaign to oust Lusaka as Governor after an epic political duel that lasted five years.
In June 2016, the two grabbed national headlines after an exchange on social media where they accused each other of corruption.
Wetangula had criticised the then Bungoma Governor's handling of the infamous Wheelbarrow Scandal where the county government had bought wheelbarrows at over Ksh100,000 each.
In a quick rejoinder, Lusaka posted a photo of a goat staring at a television set where Wetangula was debating in the Senate - claiming that even the animal was shocked by the legilator's hypocrisy.
