- An official aware of the squabbles on Saturday downplayed them saying they are then usual sibling rivalry that is expected of partners.
- It is feared that the political squabbles and territorial fights could spill over to a key political rally in Mumias
Image: Handout
A showdown is looming in Western Kenya as President William Ruto visits the region for a thanksgiving service in Kakamega County on Sunday.
It has emerged that partners within the Kenya Kwanza alliance are engaged in squabbling over the itinerary and as to which party will control the programme.
The President is expected to attend a prayer rally at Milimani Church in Navakholo Constituency of ODM's Emmanuel Wangwe.
The United Democratic Party Alliance bigwigs from Western Kenya are said to be tussling with their Kenya Kwanza counterparts in Ford Kenya and Amani National Congress.
Ford Kenya is lead by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula while ANC is under Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The two are expected to host Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday in there perceived backyard.
It is feared that the political squabbles and territorial fights could spill over to a key political rally in Mumias where the President will address residents.
The Star has established that a strategy meeting between leaders from the region on Friday and Saturday did not hammer a conclusive deal on the management of the programme.
While UDA heavyweights from the region are keen to call the shots, their Ford Kenya and ANC counterparts are reportedly unhappy saying they need to be given leeway since it is their bedrock.
UDA Secretary General Cleopas Malala, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba and former CS Rashid Echesa are said to be the top UDA honchos at the centre of the programme.
Others are Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and former Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali.
An official aware of the squabbles on Saturday downplayed them saying they are then usual sibling rivalry that is expected of partners.
''Nothing much, yes there could be concerns but I can assure you that the President's itinerary has been agreed among all leaders from the region,'' said a top politician involved in the planning.
Some officials in Ford Kenya and ANC are said to be unhappy with a scheme by UDA to allegedly take over Western Kenya and force the sister parties to fold.
While Malala has been pushing for a merger of Kenya Kwanza parties, ANC and Ford Kenya have come out to declare that they will not fold up ahead of 2027.
“We will not fold ANC to join UDA,” ANC Secretary General Omboko Milemba said on Friday, lifting the lid on the growing tensions.
''We remain a constituent party of Kenya Kwanza but at the same time remain independent, solid and standing on our own to carry out our activities,'' he said.
Malala has been traversing western Kenya and parts of the country to aggressively push for membership recruitment while asking partners in Kenya Kwanza to consider folding and joining UDA.
The growing tensions are likely to play out in Kakamega on Sunday when Ruto will lead top government and political leaders for the thanksgiving service.
The prayer meeting is expected to be attended by Kenya Kwanza’s top leaders from Western Kenya and thereafter the President will head to Mumias where he’s expected to address the public.
The political supremacy battle in Western Kenya is normally won in Kakamaga County which is the epicenter of the ever divisive Luhya politics.
There are reports that ANC and Ford Kenya have already reached out to new allies led by Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, Malulu Injendi of Malava, Titus Khamala of Lurambi, Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera and Ambassador Yvonne Khamati to firm up their support in Kakamaga and Western.
Analysts say President Ruto's bid to wrestle Western Kenya from the grip of opposition leader Raila Odinga faces a challenge from the sibling rivalry between UDA, Ford Kenya and ANC.
Kakamega has started to witness high octane politics with Governor Fernandes Baraza of ODM also facing a political battle with his County Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda.
Muhanda has already launched early strategies to uplift her dreams of succeeding Barasa in 2027.
Barasa and his deputy Ayub Savula, who are still silent political enemies, are staring at a stiff political competition in the 2027 elections.
A part from Muhanda, Malala, who lost to Barasa in 2022, is also said to be eyeing the seat.