- The seats have attracted stiff competition with top politicians, wealthy public officers and business tycoons.
- In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja faces competition from seasoned and aggressive politicians who are seeking to dislodge him.
Image: LEAH MUKANGAI
A big political war is looming in the counties as a number of MPs are seeking to succeed outgoing governors or unseat first-termers.
Twenty eight governors will be defending their seats in the 2027 election with 19 others serving their second and final terms.
Several MPs and Senators have set their eyes on governor positions, intoxicating their relationships, three years to the polls.
The county bosses are considered ‘mini presidents’ owing to the executive influence, trappings of power and massive resources at their disposal.
These seats have attracted stiff competition among top politicians, wealthy public officers and business tycoons.
In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing competition from seasoned and aggressive politicians seeking to dislodge him.
MPs; Babu Owino (Embakasi East), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) and Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands) are eyeing the seat.
“In 2027, I will be defending my seat. Any Kenyan has a right to go for this position but people will judge us by the work we will have done by then,” Sakaja said.
Babu is an aggressive and vibrant youthful MP who has constantly taken on Sakaja. He’s serving his second term in Parliament.
Gakuya and Wanyonyi are veteran politicians on their third terms.
Recently, Gakuya challenged Sakaja for the UDA Nairobi chairmanship.
Wanyonyi confirmed that his name will be on the governor's ballot in the next polls.
“Yes, I am going to reclaim my seat, and yes, Sakaja is a big disappointment to the people,” he told the Star.
The lawmaker said the city boss has shifted focus on the 2032 presidency instead of working.
“The level of incompetence is just on another level. Nairobi haiwork (not working). Let me pack and go. What I can confirm is that I will be on the ballot in 2027,” Wanyonyi said.
Babu said the poor leadership in Nairobi has killed the dreams of many.
However, Sakaja has downplayed the competition and defended his record, saying it will propel him to re-election.
“As for opponents, they will always be there and there will also be stories but I am confident that based on what we have done in the city, the impact we have in the society, Nairobi residents will give me the chance to continue working for them as the governor,” he said.
Sakaja is among the 28 first-term governors facing re-election battle.
Others are Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), James Orengo (Siaya), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and Ochillo Ayacko (Migori).
Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Irungu Kangata (Murang’a), Moses Badilisha (Nyandarua), Kawira Mwangaza (Meru), Cecil Mbarire (Embu), Abdi Guyo (Isiolo) and Mohamed Khalif (Madera) are also facing the battle.
The re-election headache is also faced by Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni), Jeremiah Lomorukai (Turkana), George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) and Erick Mutai (Kericho).
Simba Arati (Kisii), Paul Otuoma (Busia), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok), Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), Jonathan Lelelit (Samburu) and Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega) also face a similar fate.
Political observer Mark Bichachi said the clamour for the governor's seat is motivated by the urge for quick riches and power as opposed to service.
“Governors are on top of budgets. They oversee expenditures. So, many people want to be governors to exercise greater control over corruption,” he said.
Bichachi said some politicians are eyeing the seats as stepping stones to national positions such as the presidency in future.
“If you are not a CS, then the other influential position is governor. You amass wealth and expenditure serving as governor,” he said.
In Kiambu, Senator Karungu Thangwa and Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a are seeking to remove Wamatangi.
"This time, we must elect a woman governor and I am prepared to serve as governor in the next election,” Ng’ang’a said.
In Kakamega, Senator Boni Khalwale and former UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala want to dislodge Barasa.
“Yes (I will vie for the position). Even if he (Barasa) has built a skyscraper in Kakamega, which he has not, his term ends in five years. That is the time will be ripe to run for the position,” Khalwale said.
Malala said he will focus on realising dreams of devolution in his bid to unseat Barasa.
“It is definite, I will be on the ballot. I will bring back the dreams of devolution by providing basic services,” he said.
The former Kakamega Senator said the current governor is focusing on capital intensive projects that take long to actualise.
“Most counties have failed to live to that dream. They are going for big projects instead of provision of basic services such health, water and building ECDE classrooms,” he said.
In Mombasa, MP Mohamed Ali and UDA secretary general Hassan Omar are seeking to unseat Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Makadara MP George Aladwa want to replace Governor Wilber Ottichilo.
In Kisii, South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro wants to replace Simba Arati as the county chief.
The war is also present in Kajiado where State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko and former Governor David Nkedianye want to succeed Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
In Bungoma, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has declared interest in replacing outgoing governor Ken Lusaka.
“Absolutely (I will run for the seat),” he said.
The second-term lawmaker said he will use the National Government-Constituency Development Fund model to share resources among all the nine constituencies.
A fierce competition is also expected in Kitui where Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu and the county Senator Enoch Wambua will be facing-off for the governor's seat.
They will be seeking to replace Governor Julius Malombe who is serving his second and final term in office. Former Governor Charity Ngilu has declared interest in the seat as well.
Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi previously declared her candidacy, focusing on enhancing gender representation.
She says she wants to be the Gladys Wanga, (referring to the Homa Bay county boss's strong performance) of Nyamira.
She is upbeat about a win as she drums up support.
“Governor Wanga is a testament that women when supported, can deliver,” she told the Star on Sunday.
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who was elected on the ODM ticket but is now aligned to President William Ruto’s UDA party, has stirred the succession race after teaming up with Rongo MP Paul Abuor.
In Kisumu City where Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o is serving his last term, there have been heightened succession tussles involving sitting MPs as lawmakers plot against each other.
Professor Nyong’o’s deputy Mathews Owili, MPs Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central), Aduma Owuor (Nyakach) and Rosa Buyu (Kisumu West) and Senator Tom Ojienda are reportedly eyeing the governor’s seat.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza faces a battalion of veteran politicians who are seeking unseat her.
They include former governors Peter Munya and Kiraitu Murungi and immediate former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.
Already, Munya has launched his bid to recapture the seat he lost to Kiraitu in 2017.