Obure names running mate as candidates draw line-ups
Candidates for the Kisii governorship have started unveiling their teams for the August 9 General-Election.
Transport and Infrastructure Chief Administrative Secretary Chris Obure is the latest to unveil his line-up for his preferred running mate and senator.
Obure, who settled on William Mbaka, to deputise him and former Bonchari MP Charles Onyancha for the Senate seat, said they will vie under the Azimio La Umoja Movement umbrella, saying if elected, they will use their experience in government to foster development in the county.
The seat has attracted lawmakers - Simba Arati (Dagoretti North), Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Masaba), Senator Sam Ongeri, Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Woman Representative Janet Ong’era, former MPs Omingo Magara, Manson Oyongo and activist Racheal Otundo.
Obure, who vied for the seat in 2017 and lost to James Ongwae has picked civil servant William Mbaka as running mate, former Bonchari MP Charles Onyancha for the senator while Arati has settled on former Nyaribari Chache lawmaker Dr Robert Monda as running-mate and Kitutu Chache legislator Richard Onyonka for Senate.
Machogu who joined Deputy President William Ruto’s camp has identified former Kisii county finance chief John Momanyi, as running mate, Esther Nyamwamu, woman representative and is said to be wooing Magara to run for Senate.
The move by Machogu to join UDA has shocked governorship aspirants, Rachel Otundo and Alfred Akunga, who have accused some of their colleagues for inviting ‘outsiders’ to throw them out of the party. Ruto is expected to unveil Machogu on Thursday in Kisii.
During a UDA meeting last week at a Kisii hotel, Otundo accused South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro and Nyaribari Chache parliamentary aspirant, Zaheer Jhander of being behind the scheme, terming it wrong. “It is our people who seek them and say we are hopeless and incompetent. They want a person with money. We want votes, not money,” Otundo said during a meeting attended by parliamentary aspirants, Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) and Davins Onuso (Bobasi).
Speaking at Mbaka’s Kioge village in Kitutu Chache South constituency, Obure said they will give priority to health, education, roads, water, agriculture and seek investors to invest in the area to create jobs for youths and boost their income and standard of living. The former senator said if elected, they will offer students from poor families and orphans full scholarships to complete their education, stressing he was concerned students were getting little money as bursaries and ended up being chased from schools due to inadequate fees.
He lashed out at his rivals saying he has been in politics for long unfit to be governor, stressing he has gained experience and has networks locally and internationally which he can use to benefit residents of the county. “I have worked in various capacities in the government and private sector and therefore, many years means I am experienced. A person who is too old is one whose memory cannot function,” Obure said.
The CAS noted that he worked with the late cabinet minister, Dr Zachary Onyonka who was MP for a long time in then Kitutu Chache. He said he supported Governor Ongwae in 2013 to be pioneer holder of the position, adding he endorsed him since he had experience in government systems and urged his Bogetutu clan to reciprocate by supporting his governorship bid.
The former Senator noted in 2013, they had an agreement that Ongwae, who hails from Kisii Central, leads for 10 years and in 2022, the governor’s seat shifts to a leader from Gucha.
Kisii central has Nyaribari Chache constituency, Nyaribari Masaba, Kitutu Chache South, Kitutu Chache North, Bonchari while Gucha has Bobasi, Bomachoge Chache, Bomachoge Borabu and South Mugirango. Obure, Onyancha and Mbaka hail from Bobasi, Bonchari and Kitutu Chache respectively. With the declaration, Obure is set to face a candidate from the axis comprising Ongwae, Senator Ongeri and Women Rep Ongera.
The alliance between Arati, Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka(Senate) and Monda as deputy governor is already causing major ripples.
