At least 10 first-time governors face stiff competition as battle for the powerful seats takes shape more than two years before the next polls.
The Star has established that political bigwigs, including seasoned politicians, are burning midnight oil strategising on how to unseat the incumbents.
The governor seats have become the most sought-after political positions since the advent of devolution in 2013.
Besides exercising executive authority, governors control massive budgets running into billions of shillings.
In the counties, they are referred to as presidents.
The epic battles are expected to take place in Nairobi, Machakos, Turkana, Isiolo, Kiambu, Mombasa, Narok Kisii, Kakamega, Kilifi and Kericho.
In Nairobi, at least four politicians are seeking to unseat Governor Johnson Sakaja.
They include Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru.
Babu, who has been a fierce critic of Sakaja, said he is firmly in the governor’s race.
“Yes, I am in the race come 2027,” he told the Star.
Wanyonyi also confirmed that his name will be on the governor’s ballot paper.
“Yes, I’m going to replace my seat. What I can confirm is that I will be on the ballot in 2027 flying the ODM flag,” Wanyonyi said.
Gakuya has publicly stated his interest.
“I want to ask you, my people, to allow me to battle it out with the other candidates. If elected governor, I will deal with the dumpsite issue and other problems,” he said during a church service last month.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who was initially rumoured to be in the race, said he will defend his seat.
However, some political pundits say Sakaja could have a head-start since he is the only politician currently in the race who has clinched a county seat twice.
Sakaja was the second senator for Nairobi after former Governor Mike Sonko.
In addition, his closeness with President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga could complicate the matrix for his rivals.
“Right now, we are focused on working for the people of Nairobi. We are delivering on our promises; we are cleaning the city, we are providing jobs to the young people and feeding more than 320,000 children in our schools,” Sakaja told the Star.
“That is what we are focused on. The response [from the residents] is positive. We are going beyond the normal limits to deliver our people.”
In Kakamega, incumbent Fernandes Barasa is facing a stiff competition from Senator Boni Khalwale and former Senator Cleophas Malala.
The two have confirmed that their names will be on the ballot to succeed Barasa in 2027.
Malala claimed the current administration has crippled development hence his resolve to vie.
“I’m still running for governor. I want to rescue our county from the hands of an administration that has failed to work,” he told the Star.
The former senator said Barasa has failed to complete projects initiated by his predecessor, including the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega Referral Hospital and a milk processing plant.
In Isiolo, a fierce political showdown looms between Governor Abdi Guyo and Senator Fatuma Dullo.
Sources say Dullo, who is not seeing eye to eye with the governor, is preparing the ground for a face-off with Guyo.
Dullo has often accused the governor of failing to develop the county.
She has done this by seeking several statements on the floor, which expose problems in Isiolo.
But Guyo has often dismissed the claims of underperforming and accused the senator of using her ambitions to discredit his administration’s performance.
“What we have done in Isiolo speaks for itself. We have improved health services, drilled boreholes, empowered the youth and improved education standards,” he said.
In Kiambu, Governor Kimani Wamatangi will face Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba and former Thika MP Patrick Wainaina. In Mombasa, incumbent Abdulswamad Nassir will face UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, Eala MP Suleiman Shahbal and Mombasa speaker Aharub Khatri.
Nassir is a deputy party leader of ODM and could secure the party’s ticket to fly its gubernatorial flag.
Omar, on the other hand, holds the influential and powerful secretary general position in UDA that could hand him a free ticket.
Ali confirmed harbouring dreams of becoming the governor.
In an interview with the Star, the second-term lawmaker expressed his readiness to face off with the political bigwigs even as he took on some aspirants for playing divisive politics.
“Yes, I have a dream. I’m not scared of the big names eyeing the seat. We are dealing with bigwigs and big names but we are threatened by their money and politics of division,” Ali said.
The MP has been ailing since December after sustaining an injury during the Eala games.
He has undergone two surgeries, with the third one scheduled for June.
“I have been away and quiet because of my health. I’m supposed to undergo another surgery in June or July. But I want to tell the people of Nyali and Mombasa that I’m recovering and soon I will be on the ground,” he said.
Ali said he will ride on his track record, where he built 10 secondary schools and seven police stations, connected electricity and uplifted learners through the issuance of bursaries and purchase of school buses.
“This is a track record I will replicate in the county. I want the people of Mombasa not to be divided or discriminated against,” he said.
