KABUCHAI, Kenya — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has suffered a sharp political blow after his preferred FORD Kenya candidate lost decisively to an independent contender in Thursday’s Chwele–Kabuchai by-election, a result widely viewed as a humiliation for the veteran leader on home turf.
Erick Wekesa, running as an independent candidate, was declared the winner after securing 6,162 votes (67pc), while FORD Kenya’s Vincent Maunda — backed by Wetang’ula — garnered only 2,765 votes.
FORD Kenya had backed Maunda following a nomination exercise earlier in November, but the result has reversed expectations in a contest many analysts believed the party would dominate.
Observers say Wekesa’s victory underscores growing voter frustration with strong-arm politics and attempts by establishment actors to win seats through top-down endorsements and mobilised campaigns.
Congratulations to all victorious candidates in the by-elections. May our democracy flourish forever. We have a cardinal duty to protect our national unity and cohesion as we move towards the 1st world stage
Wekesa’s campaign reportedly resonated with youth and women voters, and leveraged social media and grassroots outreach — a contrast to the Ford Kenya campaign’s traditional corridors of political power.
The defeat has strategic implications for Wetang’ula and his party’s grip in Western Kenya ahead of wider electoral contests.
As a political heavyweight, Wetang’ula had personally campaigned for Maunda, promising that a victory would reinforce Ford Kenya’s dominance in the region.
Beyond the political shock, the by-election was marred by violence and disruptions.
Two days before polling, a rally for independent candidate Wekesa supporting George Natembeya was targeted by suspected goons, with tear gas used to disperse the crowd, and vehicles damaged in what opposition actors described as orchestrated intimidation.
From this election ,this government is going to be #Wantam with a bigger margin than I expected.How can Wetangula lose in his own ward?Kindiki is struggling to get an mp with small margin,Malava an UDA seat even after millions poured only wins with 500 votes ,musalia is
Despite the tensions, police and electoral officials pressed on, and on Thursday, Wekesa stunned political analysts by not only defeating the official FORD Kenya candidate but doing so by a commanding margin — a win that has reinforced perceptions of shifting political loyalties and awakening grassroots voter power in historically party-strong wards.
Whether the result will dent Wetang’ula’s influence or force deeper introspection within Ford Kenya remains unclear.
For now, the landslide victory stands as a potent reminder that even political heavyweights can be humbled when voters reclaim their agency — especially when they reject imposition and seek fresh representation.
