Trade minister Moses Wetang'ula ,Bumula MP wakoli Bifwoli and bungoma county council chairman at the Sudi stadium over vthe weekend

SIRISIA MP Moses Wetang'ula has abandoned his bid for presidency. The Ford-Kenya leader finally declared he will run for Senator in Bungoma at the weekend.

Last week, Wetang'ula's signed a coalition pact with presidential aspirants Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka to form the Cord alliance.

Before the Tuesday agreement, he had vigorously campaigned for his presidential bid. There was speculation that Cord had ended his ambition to become President.

On Saturday, while addressing Bungoma councillors and Ford-K officials at Sudi stadium, Wetang'ula said he has decided to run for Sunator under the Cord alliance.

"You have seen across the country the kind of people who want to be elected to the Senate are all of my stature. I take this time to humbly request you to support my candidature for the seat," he said amid cheers from his supporters.

He said Kenya's new Senate need people who are well-versed with issues that affect the country because they will be key policymakers.

Wetangula's entry to the race might complicate matters for former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi who will run for the seat on a UDF ticket.

Mukhisa and current Trade minister Wetang'ula are old rivals in Bungoma politics. Wetang'ula entry to the senatorial battle is expected to spark new rivalry between them.

Others who have declared their interest for the seat are nominated PNU MP Musikari Kombo who will run on New Ford Kenya ticket and former Kanduyi MP Lawrance Sifuna of ODM.

It is not clear how new Cord partners, ODM and Ford-Kenya, will hold the joint nominations for Sifuna and Wetang'ula. Wetangula denied he has chickened out of the presidential race saying to win an election one must be "strategic".