A political showdown is taking shape in Siaya after former Governor Cornel Rasanga declared his bid for the Senate seat.
The move has set up a direct contest with incumbent senator and ODM party leader Oburu Oginga in what is fast emerging as a defining race within the party stronghold.
The duel between the two seasoned politicians is already reshaping early succession dynamics in Siaya, turning what would ordinarily be a routine re-election contest into a high-stakes political test of influence, legacy and party control.
Rasanga made his intentions public during a thanksgiving service in Segere, where he confirmed he would be seeking a return to elective politics after serving a decade as Siaya governor.
He anchored his bid on what he described as experience in devolved governance and a record that he believes positions him for a legislative role in the Senate.
“My experience in county leadership gives me the credibility to serve in the Senate and strengthen oversight of county governments,” he said, framing his return as a continuation of public service rather than a political comeback.
However, his entry has immediately placed him on a collision course with Oburu, who has already declared that he will defend his seat.
That declaration effectively shut the door on expectations that he might step aside, setting the stage for a direct contest if both proceed to the ODM nominations.
Rasanga, however, insists the contest is not entirely unexpected.
He alleged there was a prior understanding within political circles that the incumbent would serve one term before giving way, an arrangement he claims has not been honoured.
“The party leader is a friend of mine, he is a relative of mine. It is his right to declare that he wants to defend his seat. Except he is not honest because when he was going to contest, we had agreed that he goes that time and then he leaves me also to go. But now he is still going, so I will have a right to compete with him,” he said.
Rasanga maintained that political agreements should be respected, saying internal competition within the party must remain fair and predictable.
“I am an ODM life member. If they nominate me, fine. If not, I have other options,” he said, signalling he could still consider other alternatives should the party ticket go elsewhere.
His comments add a new layer of uncertainty to an already tense political environment, especially given ODM’s dominance in the region and the weight of its nomination process, which often determines the final outcome of general elections in Nyanza.
At the heart of Rasanga’s campaign is his governance record and a policy agenda that leans heavily on public finance management and county accountability.
He argues that despite the introduction of devolved governance, counties continue to struggle with rising pending bills and weak expenditure controls.
“Expenditure discipline is key. You should only spend what has been budgeted so that you do not create pending bills,” he said, questioning why counties continue accumulating debts despite receiving annual allocations.
He also pointed to procurement reforms as a key area of focus, drawing from his ongoing PhD research in procurement systems.
Rasanga criticised the implementation of the legal requirement that reserves 30 per cent of government procurement opportunities for youth, women and persons with disabilities, arguing the policy has not achieved its intended purpose.
“In reality, many of those benefiting are not the intended vulnerable groups. We need stronger enforcement and possibly increase the allocation from 30 to even 45 per cent,” he said.
Beyond policy reforms, Rasanga is also pitching a broader economic empowerment agenda targeting informal sector workers, particularly Jua Kali artisans and small traders.
He proposes that county governments ring-fence a portion of procurement budgets specifically for local artisans to ensure that public spending directly benefits residents.
He further argued that counties like Siaya, which generate an estimated Sh10 billion annually, should ensure funds circulate locally rather than being spent outside the region through external contractors and off-county activities.
“Money meant for Siaya should circulate within Siaya. Even staff engagements and official functions should be conducted within the county so that the local economy benefits,” he said.
His remarks also touched on what he termed inefficient administrative practices, criticising the trend of holding county-funded seminars and meetings outside county borders, which he said drains resources that could otherwise stimulate local economic activity.
While Rasanga leans heavily on his executive experience as governor, Oburu enters the contest with the advantage of incumbency and long-standing political experience within ODM structures.
His early declaration to defend the seat has already signalled a firm intent to remain in office, effectively setting up an inevitable showdown should both leaders be cleared for party primaries.
The emerging contest is expected to test ODM’s internal cohesion in Siaya, where both figures command significant political networks and loyal support bases.
Party insiders anticipate a highly competitive nomination battle, which could become the real deciding ground for the Senate race.
As the political temperature rises, attention is now turning to how ODM will manage the contest between two heavyweight leaders without deepening internal divisions in one of its most loyal strongholds.
Instant analysis
The Siaya Senate race is shaping up to be a high-stakes political contest within ODM, pitting former Governor Cornel Rasanga against incumbent Senator Oburu Oginga. Beyond a routine re-election battle, the duel highlights deeper questions of succession politics, internal party discipline and the management of elite competition in ODM strongholds. Rasanga’s entry brings executive experience and a reform-focused agenda on county governance, procurement and local economic empowerment, while Oburu leans on incumbency and entrenched party structures. The contest is likely to be decided at the ODM nominations stage, making internal cohesion critical. How the party balances loyalty and competition will shape Siaya’s political stability.
