Race for governor seats splits Raila’s lieutenants in Nyanza
Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka
Fierce political battles are looming in Nyanza and Western Kenya counties as close allies of ODM leader Raila Odinga position themselves for gubernatorial seats in next year’s General Election.
They include Raila’s foot soldiers in the Senate and National Assembly who have publicly expressed their intention to succeed current governors, most of them serving their final terms.
This political jostling ahead of the next election is posing a huge dilemma for the former premier in a region where he enjoys a huge following.
Besides, Raila faces a tough balancing act as he tries to manage loyalty, popularity and the candidates’ ambitions and egos as he also plans his fifth presidential run.
The outgoing governors are Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Okoth Obado (Migori), Sospeter Ojamong’ (Busia) and Kisii’s James Ongwae, all elected on an ODM ticket.
Kisumu’s Anyang Nyong’o and his Nyamira counterpart Amos Nyaribo are the only governors serving their first terms and are expected to seek re-election.
In Kisumu, a feud between Nyong’o and Senator Fred Outa has kept the county in a constant state of animosity with all eyes trained on the 2022 governor race.
Outa has accused Nyong’o’s administration of corruption, neglect of some parts of the county and initiating projects without consulting locals and leaders.
Outa was a key figure in Nyong’o’s campaigns in 2017.
“The Kisumu governor seat is mine to lose and Nyong’o should prepare to go home,” he told People Daily.
But it will not be an easy ride for Outa, as Raila’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, is also angling for the seat. Odinga was the Kisumu deputy governor from 2013 to 2017.
In Homa Bay county, nine politicians all Raila loyalists, including ODM party national chairman John Mbadi, are interested in the governor’s seat.
Mbadi, who is serving his third term as Suba North MP, has refuted claims the party would favour him.
“Our party believes in democracy and I will present myself just like other candidates for the contest,” he said.
Woman Rep Gladys Wanga, the party’s county chairperson, is also eyeing the seat.
“As a woman who has traversed this county, I am best placed to turn it around,” Wanga said.
Others who have shown interest in the Homa Bay seat are former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Kasipul Kabondo MP Oyugi Magwang’a and businessman Sam Wakiaga.
Tuju denial
Magwang’a, who vied for the seat as an independent candidate in 2017 after ditching ODM, has since rejoined the party.
“I believe the time to take over the leadership is now so that the people of Homa Bay can see what I have to offer,” said on Tuesday.
Kidero is seen as crucial to Raila’s national campaign and recently accompanied him on a tour of the Coast region.
In Siaya, two of Raila’s pointmen in the Senate and the National Assembly are campaigning to succeed Governor Rasanga.
Senator James Orengo, who is the Leader of Minority in the Senate, and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, who is ODM Secretary for Political Affairs, are embroiled in a battle to succeed Rasanga.
Former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, former Auditor General Edward Ouko and Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju are also said to be in the race.
Tuju has, however, denied claims that he wants the seat. He told People Daily on Tuesday that he was eyeing “bigger things” at the national level.
In Migori, the race to succeed Governor Obado has attracted 10 aspirants including Senator Ochillo Ayacko, Woman Rep Pamela Odhiambo, former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, former Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga and former Migori MP John Pesa.
Ayacko ran for governor as an independent candidate in 2017 but lost to ODM’s Obado, who has since shifted his loyalty to the Peoples’ Democratic Party.
“I know it’s my time to be governor of Migori,” Ayacko said when contacted.
Odhiambo, who is the only female candidate in the Migori gubernatorial seat, has been campaigning on social media.
“I have told men in this county to brace themselves for a woman’s leadership,” she recently posted on her Facebook page.
But it is the entry in the race of Migori Speaker Boaz Okoth that has caused a storm. “I will send the old guard and heavyweights home,” said Okoth, an ally of Obado.
Nyamira’s Nyaribo, who succeeded John Nyagarama following his death in December last year, is facing stiff opposition from among others Borabu MP Ben Momanyi.
“ We will square it out on the ballot,” the MP told People Daily.
The Borabu lawmaker will lock horns with former Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire. Others are Mwancha Okioma, Erneo Nyakiba and Charles Geni.
In Kisii County, campaigns to succeed Governor Ongwae are taking shape.
Among top contenders are Senator Sam Ongeri, Kisii Woman Rep Janet Ongera, deputy governor Joash Maang’i, Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka and former South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya.
Maang’i, a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto, says his position as Ongwae’s deputy for the last seven years puts him at a strategic position to take over.
“I would want to continue serving my people as governor and even do improvements on key strategic areas,” said Maangi.
