Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi will battle it out with four politicians who have joined in the race to succeed him.
The four are former Kanduyi MP Alfred Khang'ati, lawyer John Makali, Knut Bungoma South secretary Kenneth Nganga and Wetangula's personal assistant Wafula Wakoli.
Wamunyinyi has in the recent past been involved in party squabbles with Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula.
The Kanduyi MP together with Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu and Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati were involved in an attempted party coup.
This led to his falling out with Wetang'ula, creating new alignments of politicians eyeing his seat.
Wamunyinyi however insists that the long line of rivals does not scare him because he has done well on numerous projects.
“Let them come, the ultimate decision lies with people who can see our work,” he said.
Speaking to the Star, Alfred Khang'ati who is currently a member of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee said Kanduyi had over the years gone down in development because of poor leadership.
“It’s high time we restored development and conscious leadership. We have the cries of our people and I will be running for the seat,” he said.
Khang'ati beat Wamunyinyi in the 2007 Kanduyi parliamentary elections before trying his stab on Bungoma governorship in the consequent elections where he lost twice.
He said he was optimistic that he will beat Wamunyinyi who he accused of failing the constituency.
Lawyer John Makali, who came second in the last election, said he will not fail because he will have ensured proper structures.
He said he is currently putting up structures and doing wide consultations at the grassroots on which party to vie on.
“Last time we put a very formidable fight and this time, we will win,” Makali said.
“We will make a major announcement on December 31 on the way forward.”
KNUT Bungoma South secretary Kenneth Nganga who is Wetangula’s ally said he would vie on the Ford-K party.
He said Kanduyi needed a change because recycling leaders does not bring anything new.
“We need to emancipate our people with new vibrant leadership,” he said.
Wafula Wakoli promised the incumbent a run for his money.
Political commentators argue that Wamunyinyi will fight the ghost of an attempted coup in the Ford-K party.
“Wamunyinyi goes into the next elections fighting the effects of the failed coup where different players will want to square their muscles in revenge games,” Isaac Wanjekeche said.
He said Wetang'ula who has a formidable following in Bungoma, could want to influence who becomes MP in Kanduyi.
“Whoever will look a strong candidate against Wamunyinyi will receive Wetang'ula support,” he said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris