The political ground in Bungoma has shifted after Independent candidate Eric Wekesa defeated Ford Kenya’s Vincent Maunda in the Chwele–Kabuchai ward by-election.
The outcome has been widely interpreted as a major setback for National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who has dominated politics in the region for more than fifteen years.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the upset. His influence has been rising steadily across Western Kenya, and this victory has strengthened his claim that the region is ready for new leadership.
Wekesa won with 6,162 votes against Maunda’s 2,765 in results announced by the IEBC.
The seat fell vacant after the death of James Barasa Mukhongo, who had won on a Ford Kenya ticket in 2022.
What was expected to be a straightforward race for Ford Kenya quickly turned into a fierce contest between Wetang’ula and Natembeya, both fighting for control of the broader Mulembe political space.
Natembeya’s Tawe movement has been pushing to free the community from long-standing political influence and to establish a new development-focused direction.
He personally led negotiations that persuaded the DAP-K candidate to step aside and rally behind Wekesa, a move that boosted the independent candidate’s chances.
Natembeya then campaigned aggressively alongside Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.
The campaigns were tense. Violence erupted during one of Natembeya’s rallies, and vehicles in his convoy were vandalized by hired goons.
Kalasinga’s home and business were also attacked, a sign of the high political stakes in the ward.
Political analyst Martin Andati says Wetang’ula must now rethink his strategy.
He believes the loss signals declining dominance for the Ford Kenya leader within Bungoma and across the larger Mulembe nation ahead of the 2027 elections.
