Lusaka Urges Ford Kenya Leaders to Accept Defeat, Avoid Blame Games

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has urged Ford Kenya party leaders and members to accept defeat in the recent Kabuchai–Chwele by-election and focus on sober reflection and re-strategising, cautioning that internal blame games could weaken the party.

Speaking during the burial of James Mukhwana at Tuti village in Kanduyi, the brother of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, Governor Lusaka said electoral contests have only two outcomes and leaders must demonstrate maturity when results do not go their way.

“When you go into an election, there are only two possible outcomes: you either win or you lose. If you win, you celebrate. If you lose, you return to the drawing board, reflect honestly on what went wrong and learn lessons, instead of blaming one another,” Lusaka said.

The governor faulted attempts by some party leaders and members to search for scapegoats following Ford Kenya’s loss in Kabuchai–Chwele, a constituency traditionally viewed as a party stronghold. He maintained that finger-pointing would only deepen divisions and hinder efforts to rebuild the party’s political footing.

Lusaka’s remarks came as Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli, who was also in attendance at the ceremony, announced plans to intensify oversight of the county government going forward.

“From 2026, we are going to be very serious in defending the interests of Bungoma and in overseeing Governor Lusaka,” Senator Wakoli said.

Although the senator did not directly link his remarks to the by-election outcome, the statements appeared to underscore emerging political undercurrents within Ford Kenya following the defeat.

Responding to the senator on the spot, Governor Lusaka said he had no fear of oversight, provided it was conducted in the best interests of Bungoma residents.

“Senator Wakoli, you are free to oversight Bungoma as long as it is for the good of the people of Bungoma. We do not fear oversight,” Lusaka said.

With the by-election now concluded, attention is turning to how Ford Kenya will reorganise and reposition itself in the post-election period, amid growing calls from within the party for unity, introspection and strategic realignment.