Wamalwa criticised for picking aspirants

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By NATION CORRESPONDENT
Posted  Tuesday, September 18  2012 at  20:19

IN SUMMARY

• The presence of Mr Wamalwa in the campaigns of former Livestock Development permanent secretary Ken Lusaka has stirred a storm in New Ford-K, with a section of aspirants accusing him (Mr Wamalwa) of endorsing some candidates for positions without following the laid-down party laws.
• An aspirant for the governor position, Mr Wabwoba Walinywa, said it is wrong for Mr Wamalwa to endorse Mr Lusaka for the governor position and nominating MP Musikari Kombo for the senator position without party nominations being held.

Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa has been asked to allow New Ford Kenya members to nominate the party’s candidate for the Bungoma County governor seat.

The presence of Mr Wamalwa in the campaigns of former Livestock Development permanent secretary Ken Lusaka has stirred a storm in New Ford-K, with a section of aspirants accusing him (Mr Wamalwa) of endorsing some candidates for positions without following the laid-down party laws.

An aspirant for the governor position, Mr Wabwoba Walinywa, said it is wrong for Mr Wamalwa to endorse Mr Lusaka for the governor position and nominating MP Musikari Kombo for the senator position without party nominations being held.

“He should let the people decide who they want through fair nominations. We want democracy not a party where leaders are imposed on the people,” said Mr Walinywa, who has indicated he will seek the Governor post on a New Ford-K ticket.

Several aspirants for seats in the forthcoming elections have threatened to walk out of the party, which they said is killing internal party democracy by hand-picking aspirants.

Mr Wamalwa, while addressing various roadside gatherings, appeared to endorse Mr Lusaka and Mr Kombo for the governor and senator positions.

“I need a strong team on the ground who can support me, even as I go for the presidency. That is why I present these aspirants to you. Anyone not on our party will not sail through in the elections,” Mr Wamalwa said in Bungoma on Saturday.

New Ford-K has attracted many aspirants from Bungoma County who are eyeing various posts.