Robert Ochoro
Kisii County political dynamics is fast shifting gears into campaign mode with various candidates positioning themselves to either oust or retain their seats.
South Mugirango MP, Manson Oyongo has picked Amasago Secondary School principal, Innocent Mogunde, as running mate for governor seat whose incumbent is James Ongwae, setting the stage for a bruising battle which has also attracted Bungoma county Engineer, Boniface Omboto.
Oyongo, who is vying on Kenya National Congress, a party associated with former fiery Kitutu Masaba MP late George Anyona, is set to face his 2013 rival for the South Mugirango constituency seat Omingo Magara and Senator Chris Obure, who is under pressure to run for governor in the 2017 poll.
Heavy criticism
Ongwae’s deputy Joash Maangi, who has been leaning to Jubilee, came under heavy criticisms when he led a delegation to Deputy President William Ruto’s home in Uasin Gishu county but maintains he will make more similar trips to articulate development issues for the community.
During the recent visit by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto in Kisii county where they commissioned several development projects, Maang’i said Jubilee’s popularity is rising and told locals to “read signs” as he predicted UhuRuto’s re-election.
“ODM has three parliamentary seats out of nine in Kisii county. It proves Jubilee is gaining ground in the hitherto perceived ODM’s stronghold,” he said.
Magara’s confidante, Charles Mogere, says he will vie on a Jubilee ticket alongside UN Habitat envoy, Prof Sam Ongeri, who is keen to try his hand in the senator seat again.
He said Ongeri and Magara, who both vied for the senator seat in 2013, are consulting to consolidate their support bases to snatch the county’s leadership from the Opposition.
Obure’s supporters want him to ditch ODM for Jubilee and pick a running mate from the larger Nyaribari Chache to enhance his chances of winning the seat.
Former Constitution Implementation Commission ( CIC )chairman, Charles Nyachae has also kept locals guessing on his political ambitions but has hinted that he is ready to take up any elective post if voters identify one and support him.
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