Ken Lusaka Makes a Comeback as Wangamati Concedes

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka During an Interview with Switch TV on Tuesday, August 17.
Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka During an Interview with Switch TV on Tuesday, August 17.
File

Senate Speaker, Kenneth Lusaka, has made a comeback after his competitor in the Bungoma gubernatorial seat, Wycliffe Wangamati, conceded defeat.

In a statement on Thursday, August 11, Wangamati congratulated the outgoing Speaker on his anticipated win noting he would not catch up with the governor in the final tally.

At the time of his statement, Lusaka was ahead of the incumbent with over 100,00 votes.

Former Bungoma County Governor Wangamati during a past funtion.
Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati addresses members of the public on August 28, 2017.
Daily Nation

"The people of Bungoma have spoken and we respect that decision. This is, therefore, to congratulate Hon Kenneth Lusaka on his election as the Governor of Bungoma. 

"Secondly, I want to thank every citizen of Bungoma who thought and believed in my vision for Bungoma, and all those who supported my campaigns for re-election and voted for me," read Wangamati's statement in part.

Further, he offered to support Lusaka in his new administration.

"To the governor-elect, I wish you well in your new term in office. Now that politics is over, it is my prayer that you will adopt whatever you find worthy in what was my agenda for the great people of Bungoma. 

"I hope and believe you will be able to move this county to her next level of greatness because it is possible," he stated.

Lusaka was seeking to re-clinch the seat on a Ford Kenya party ticket while Wangamati was defending his seat through Azimio la Umoja's DAP-K party.

The Speaker joins other Kenya Kwanza leaders who have won various seats in the county that has seen Deputy President William Ruto's faction clinch a number of parliamentary seats in Western Kenya.

Among the seats Kenya Kwanza has secured include Kimilili (Didmus Barasa - UDA),  and Webuye East (Martin Wanyonyi - Ford Kenya).

Additionally, in the presidential vote for the Webuye East constituency, Ruto beat Raila after garnering 16,412 votes against Raila's 13,720  votes. 

A collage image of Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and Deputy President William Ruto (right).
A collage image of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while on the campaign trail in Nakuru County in July 2022(left) and President William Ruto ar a rally in Bungoma County in June 2022(right).
PCS
Raila Odinga