A number of politicians from Kisii have declared interest in succeeding Governor James Ongwae in next year's general election.
Ongwae is serving his second and final term.
Those who have expressed interest in the seat include Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, MPs Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Masaba), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) and Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri.
The others are Gusii Governance Watch secretary Racheal Otundo and former South Mugirango MPs Omingo Magara and Manson Oyongo.
Maangi said he has what it takes to win the county’s top seat. He said he has done a lot of groundwork and he is sure he will capture the seat.
“I have laid down strategies to take over from Governor James Ongwae. I want to assure you that I am going to floor all the other aspirants,” the deputy governor told the Star.
Onyonka said he is best-suited given his experience as an assistant minister and an MP. He said he has a development agenda for the county.
“I have integrity and experience. My people have trust in me, which is why they elected me as MP for three consecutive terms," Onyonka said.
The Ford Kenya deputy party leader and son of former Cabinet minister Zachary Onyonka said he wants to take up a bigger political post to serve the people of Kisii county.
The legislator, however, said aspirants should adopt negotiated democracy in sharing the county’s top seats.
“Stakeholders will agree on the election and selection of the leaders,” he said.
The MP is the only aspirant from the Bogetutu clan who has declared interest in the seat. Ongwae also comes from the clan.
Onyonka said there is nothing wrong with a person from a given clan or community replacing a community member or clansman.
He cited the case of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who took over from retired President Mwai Kibaki. The two come from the same community.
Onyonka further said Deputy President William Ruto, who comes from the Rift Valley, is seeking the country’s top seat, despite the fact that former President Daniel Moi, who was from the region, ruled the country for 24 years.
“Kenyans elect leaders based on their policies and development agenda and not clans or communities,” the legislator said.
David Omato, a strategic management expert, said there is a likelihood for the Bogetutu clan to settle for the post of deputy governor.
He said aspirants from other clans are likely to gang up to ensure they get a governor who is not from the Bogetutu clan.
“Other clans supported Ongwae, and they expect Bogetutu leaders and voters to support an aspirant from other clans in the county,” Omato said.
Political activist Nyabuto Onyambu said it would be hard for another governor to come from the Bogetutu clan, but they can negotiate for the deputy governor's position.
He said that during the 2013 General Election, ODM shared seats based on clans.
Onyambu said Governor Ongwae will play a great role in next year’s gubernatorial election, but has an uphill task on who to support if several ODM leaders vie for the seat.
Recently, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga hosted some Gusii leaders in what pundits said was meant to consolidate his Nyanza support. The leaders included Ongwae, Obure, Ong’era, Ongeri, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, ODM treasurer Timothy Bosire and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Supporters of Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ong’era and Roads and Infrastructure Chief Administrative Secretary Chris Obure say the two are in the governor's race. However, the two have yet to declare interest in the governor's position.
Edited by A.N