“A friend and agemate, you can’t do this to me!” Moses Wetangu’la told Ford Kenya Secretary General Eseli Simiyu after being ousted as Ford Kenya Party Leader.
Wetangula latter replaced Eseli with Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa as Ford Kenya Secretary General.
On Sunday, a section of NEC members led by secretary General Eseli Simiyu approved the ouster of Wetang’ula as party leader and replaced him with Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi in an acting capacity.
Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati also attended the meeting at a Nairobi hotel.
Chris Wamalwa was last week ousted by NASA as deputy minority leader in the National Assembly.
He is perceived to be close to DP William Ruto.
“David Eseli Simiyu, regrettably my close friend, my age-mate and the man I grew up with, but when you choose the path of evil, the consequences await you “said an irate Wetang’ula.
Several leaders from Trans Nzoia congratulated Chris Wamalwa in his new appointment.
Wetang’ula also suspended Wamunyinyi in the position of Bungoma party chairmanship and appointed Bungoma women representative Catherine Wambilianga.
The Senator blamed Governor Wangamati and the two MP’s for the coup.
A section of Trans Nzoia MCAs led by Matisi’s Obed Mwale condemned the coup saying Wetang’ula is a brilliant and respected leader.
They said its wrong for Wamunyinyi’s group to remove Wetang’ula from the Party.
Meanwhile a section of Ford Kenya youth from Bungoma led by activist Allan Nyongesa supported the Coup.
“We as Bungoma Ford Kenya youth league are behind Wamunyinyi, Governor Wycliffe Wangamati,and Eseli, We must accept the changes “said Nyongesa.
Ford Kenya is among the oldest political parties in Kenya.
The party emerged from Ford which was led by the late Masinde Muliro and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
After the death of the two, former vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa and Raila Odinga took over.
Raila later defected and formed NDP.
He latter hopped to LDP, ODM Kenya and now ODM.
After Kijana’s death in 2003, former Webuye MP Musikari Kombo took over until 2011 when Wetang’ula ousted him.
Kombo and current Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa formed New Ford Kenya.
The wrangles in Ford Kenya have been blamed on the current predicaments facing DP Ruto.
Political pundits from Western Kenya said Wetangu’la and his cronies are being ousted for sympathizing with Ruto.
Wetang’ula himself also blamed COTU boss Francis Atwoli for sponsoring the Coup.
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