Bungoma UDA Gubernatorial Aspirant Demands Sh500,000 Refund After Party Backed Lusaka

After finding out that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) had decided to support Ford Kenya’s Ken Lusaka for the Bungoma governorship, an aspirant has requested a refund of Sh500,000 he paid as nomination fee to the DP William Ruto-led party.

Zachariah Baraza hoped to unseat Governor Wycliffe Wangamati on a UDA ticket in the August General Election, but was surprised to hear that UDA had other intentions.

The Senate Speaker was backed by UDA under a Kenya Kwanza deal.

His fate was sealed at a meeting with UDA top executives on Monday, when he was ordered to put his plans on hold in favour of Lusaka.

Read: Speaker Lusaka a no-show at Own Unveiling as Kenya Kwanza’s Gubernatorial Candidate for Bungoma

As a result, Baraza has given UDA seven days to reimburse the money, claiming that he intends to use it to improve substandard schools in Bungoma’s nine constituencies.

The unhappy politician will instead contend for the governor’s seat as an independent candidate.

Five UDA-allied MPs in Bungoma have pledged to support Lusaka, hence protest from Baraza.

Politicians from Kenya Kwanza, led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, said they had also agreed in Kakamega for former senator Boni Khalwale, who was running for governor on a UDA ticket, to drop out in favor of ANC’s Cleophas Malala.

Read Also: Lusaka’s Running Mate Choice Causes Rift Between Sabaot Elders

Baraza, on the other hand, reminded Dr Ruto of his vow that the party would not issue direct tickets and would instead let ‘hustlers’ choose their candidates.

“But right now leadership is being arranged from Ruto’s Karen home,” he said in protest.

According to the politician, araes thought to be primarily pro-Ruto drew tens of candidates for various seats, but no one was pressuring them to negotiate. He was perplexed as to why the DP intended to impose a governor on Bungoma residents.

He said that Dr Ruto had vowed that no chosen leaders would be imposed on voters “in boardrooms,” yet that is exactly what he is doing in Bungoma by imposing Lusaka.

Read Also: Kiambu Speaker Ndichu Steps Aside in Favour of UDA Senatorial Aspirant Karungo wa Thang’wa

“If the DP knew that he was going to back Mr Lusaka and ask me to shelve my bid, he should not have asked me to pay the Sh500,000 for nomination fees,” he complained.

As evidenced by his political conduct, he accused the DP of preaching water and taking wine.

The bitter gubernatorial aspirant claimed that while UDA was busy criticizing Raila Odinga, the presidential candidate of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance, as a State project, the party was imposing several “projects” in Bungoma.

He asserted that the Sh500,000 would be better spent on school cement.

Read Also: Susan Kihika, Jane Kihara in Bitter Spat Over Nakuru UDA Primaries

He urged the public to disregard Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula, who is campaigning for Lusaka to be elected governor, stating that, unlike the Senate Speaker, he is not a project.

“In 2013, Lusaka was Mr Wetang’ula’s project that bought wheelbarrows at an exaggerated Sh109,000 each,” he said.

“They procured musician Kanda Bongoman at Sh20 million just to entertain themselves while wananchi were sleeping hungry. They also used Sh100 million to construct a wall around a hospital instead of buying the much-needed drugs.”