Govt behind Wetangulas woes Khalwale

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale has accused the government of meddling in Western region’s politics.

Khalwale pointed at an alleged plan by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to remove Cord co-principal Moses Wetangula from the voter register over bribery claims, saying the move is malicious and aimed at intimidating the Bungoma Senator.

“The State is trying to impose to the people the leaders they want, and this is what is happening within the Luhya community right now,” he said.

He questioned IEBC’s intentions in reopening the case which was closed by the director of public prosecutions two years ago saying the scheme is a well orchestrated move by the government to silence the opposition and scatter its plans to impeach President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Khalwale’s sentiments were echoed by Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who linked the executive arm of government to the plot for the removal of Wetangula.

ODM chair John Mbadi also voiced his opposition of the matter saying IEBC should distance itself from political dealings and focus on preparations for the 2017 General Election.

In March 2013, weeks after the General Election, Wetangula was on the spot over allegations of voter bribery, leading to nullification of the results.

In the case, Wetagula’s opponent Musikari Kombo made allegations of bribery saying Wetangula gave Sh260,000 to bishops and pastors who attended a meeting at Red Cross Kanduyi on February 2013.

Wetangula was declared winner in the Bungoma Senatorial race in 2013 having garnered 145,469 votes against Kombo’s 125,853.

The Ford Kenya party leader recaptured the seat in the by-elections held in December 2013, beating Amani Coalition’s Musikari Kombo and Independent candidate David Makali.

IEBC on Monday ordered Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro to launch the process of removing Wetangula from the voter register due to bribery allegations after the Supreme Court found him guilty of the offence in March this year.

Following an extensive court process, the Supreme Court ordered the report on election malpractices in Bungoma Senatorial elections handed to the director of public prosecutions for further investigations and prosecution of Wetangula.