Bungoma UDA members declare new officials amidst wrangles

By Peter Ochieng

Some members of the ruling United Democtratic Alliance (UDA) party in Bungoma County have announced a new leadership team, even as wrangles threaten to break the political formation down in the middle.

The first group is aligned to former Bumula Member of Parliament (MP) Mwambu Mabonga, while the second faction is rallying around Webuye West MP, Dan Wanyama.

On Wednesday, the Wanyama group led by former Sang'alo West Member of the County Assembly (MCA) seat aspirant Innocent Sikuku while addressing the press at UDA Bungoma County offices in Kanduyi Subcounty named Wanyama as the County chairman, and Catherine Masibo as his deputy.

According to Sikuku, Mt. Elgon MP Fred Kapondi is the Secretary General, while the treasurer is former Bungoma County Women Representative contender Rebecca Masibayi.

Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany was named as Women Representative, among other leaders. 

Interestingly, the DG has reportedly been named as one of the leaders in the Mabonga faction.

Sikuku said that the Mabonga team has steered the party as interim officials, adding that they now have a new team in place.

"We now have new leaders in place after weeks of infighting," he said.

He urged residents of Bungoma who are not members of the party to join ahead of the 2027 general elections, a rallying call reiterated by Judith Rombosia, UDA Kanduyi women leader.

The UDA party, Sikuku stated that it has a membership of over 300,000 in the Western region county.

On his part, Albert Wafula, Secretary, UDA Kanduyi said anyone willing to join the party is free to do so, provided he or she first resigns from the current party.

"We will not allow anyone to just come and start joking around in this party," he warned.

The party headquarters in Kanduyi were in the morning turned into a battle ground, as members of the two factions battled to take control.