Bungoma Senator: Wetangula's Ally Succeeds Him, Beats Ruto's Candidate
Bungoma returning officer Grace Rono announced Wakoli as the winner.
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Ford Kenya Candidate David Wafula Wakoli has won the just-concluded Bungoma Senatorial by-elections and will succeed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Wakoli on Friday, December 9 emerged victorious with 64,009 votes, beating Mwambu Mabonga of President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) who got 45,682 votes.
Wafula Wamunyinyi of the Azimio la Umoja coalition finished third with 22,296 votes. Bungoma returning officer Grace Rono announced Wakoli as the winner.
Ford Kenya's Wafula Wakoli addressing the media. /DAILY NATION
The Ford Kenya candidate received the certificate accompanied by party leaders including Kanduyi MP John Makali, Webuye East lawmaker Martin Wanyonyi, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, Ambassador Simon Nabukwesi, Bungoma county deputy governor Pastor Jennifer Mbatiany, Bungoma county assembly Majority leader among other Ford Kenya party leaders.
The seat fell vacant after Wetangula resigned from the position in September 2022 to contest the speaker's position, which he won.
A public officer who intends to contest the by-election shall resign from public office within seven (7) days of the declaration of the vacancy by the Speaker.
"As you assume the office and embark on discharging the duties of the speaker, I trust that you will find this set of past rulings by your predecessors most useful. Congratulations Mr speaker," outgoing speaker Justin Muturi saluted while handing over the mantle to him.
The tight contest saw him garner 215 votes against Marende's 130.
The spoilt vote that was recorded brought the total number of votes to 346. However, he required over 230 votes to win.
Two candidates were cleared, according to Acting National Assembly Clerk Serah Kioko, who revealed that at least 21 candidates collected nomination papers but many of them were disqualified.
Those who did not meet the threshold included Agano party leader and former presidential candidate David Mwaure Waihiga, Gideon Kiplangat Cheruiyot, Daniel Wanyonyi Opilo, Dorothy Kemunto Nyagori, Kevin Nyamari among others.
With Wetangula's win, he became the third most powerful man in the country, behind the Deputy President and the President.
He took over from Muturi, who has been holding the position since 2013. He began his career in Public Service as a magistrate.
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