MCA breaks jaw in fracas between two Ford-K factions in Bungoma

A Sunday afternoon function in Tongaren Constituency, Bungoma to open ward administrators’ offices built by the county government was marred with fracas between two Ford Kenya factions.

Two MCAs allied to Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and another group allied to Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and Ford Kenya Secretary-General Eseli Simiyu engaged each other in a fight.

In the ensuing fracas, nominated MCA Fred Musebe sustained a broken law jaw.

Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, his deputy Charles Ngome and senior county officials attended the event in Tongaren Ward.

FORD KENYA COUP

There has been frosty relations between Mr Wangamati and the MCAs after the attempted Ford Kenya coup that the governor was part of.

The bad blood saw the MCAs last month impeach two of Mr Wangamati's CECs on accusations of abuse of office and corruption.

Trouble started when MCA Musebe took to the podium to address residents and criticised Governor Wangamati's administration for allegedly neglecting Tongaren Constituency in terms of development.

The MCA further accused Sports and Gender Chief Officer Caro Masete of fuelling bad blood between Tongaren MCAs and Mr Wangamati “by feeding the governor with lies and rumors against the ward reps”.

"We Tongaren people are usually very keen before voting as we are straight forward people and if we will not have seen any development from you by 2022 we shall send you home parking," Mr Musebe said.

MCA MANHANDLED

Before the MCA could finish his speech, the microphone was snatched from him. He was then manhandled by Mr Wangamati’s supporters before his supporters joined in the fray and a fight ensured.

Police officers from Mbakalu and Mr Wangamati intervened and calmed the situation.

Mr Musebe, a former student leader at Kibabi University, also asked Governor Wangamati not to neglect a miller that was built using CDF funds and ensure it is operational.

The MCA asked the governor to stop chest thumping by claiming that it is his money which helped win his seat in 2017.

"We want you to ask (Senate Speaker) Lusaka. He had cash but it couldn't help him get votes when residents rejected him. You will also learn the bitter way," said the vocal and flamboyant nominated MCA.

He also asked Wangamati to complete the Misikhu road which was started by Mr Lusaka when he was the Bungoma governor.

After the fracas, Mr Musebe left the function bleeding and reported the matter at Mbakalu Police Station before proceeding to Lumakanda Hospital for treatment.

The meeting proceeded amid heightened tensions.

When he rose to speak, Governor Wangamati lashed out at Senator Wetang’ula, accusing him of misleading residents.

"We have completed ousting him as Ford Kenya party leader," Mr Wangamati insisted.