ANC and Ford Kenya parties have recorded huge wins in the just concluded by-elections of Kabuchai and Matungu constituencies. The IEBC on March 4 conducted by elections in Nakuru (London and Huruma Wards), Kakamega (Matungu constituency) and Kisii (Kiamokoma Ward).
In Kabuchai, Majimbo Kalasinga of Ford Kenya is the MP-elect after trouncing seven other candidates in a hotly contested mini poll. Kalasinga garnered 19,274 votes which represent 65 percent of the total votes cast. Evans Kakai of UDA became second after garnering 6455 votes, which was 22 percent of the total votes cast.
This decisive win by the Ford Kenya party stamps authority of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula in the region. Kabuchai is Wetang’ula’s turf and a win cements his authority in Bungoma county.
In Matungu, Alex Nabulindo had garnered 12,399 votes and is likely to trounce his closest challenger, David Were of ODM, who had 8,896 votes. UDA candidate Alex Lanya is currently third with 4,290 votes in the 99 out of 116 polling stations tallied.
The seat, which was previously held by ANC was a litmus test to Musalia Mudavadi’s political influence in Western Kenya. An ANC win now gives the former VP a chance to consolidate his political base as he prepares to make a stab for the top seat in 2022.