2002 Candidates

Gusii 2002 Election Candidates

Details

Published on Saturday, 09 June 2007 03:35

Current Gusii Members of Parliament:

Constituency :MP's Names: Party

1. Bonchari John Zebedeo Opore- Ford People
2. South Mugirango James Magara-Ford People
3. Bomachoge J Onyancha - Ford People
4. Bobasi Stephen Manoti - Ford People
5. Nyaribari Masaba Hezron Manduku - Ford People
6. Nyaribari Chache Simeon Nyachae -Ford People
7. Kitutu Chache Jimmy Angwenyi -Ford People
8. Kitutu Masaba Nyang'au Okioma - Ford People
9. West Mugirango Henry Obwocha -Ford People
10. North Mugirango Borabu Geoffrey Masanja- Ford People

1997-2002 Gusii Members of Parliament:

Constituency :MP's Names: Party
     1. Bonchari John Zebedeo Opore- Kenya African National Union
     2. South Mugirango James Magara -Forum For The Restoration Of Democracy (FORD K)
     3. Bomachoge Zaphaniah Moraro Nyang'wara -Kenya African National Union
     4. Bobasi Christopher Mogere Obure -Kenya African National Union
     5. Nyaribari Masaba Prof Samson Kegengo Ongeri- Kenya African National Union
     6. Nyaribari Chache Simeon Nyachae -Kenya African National Union
     7. Kitutu Chache Jimmy Angwenyi -Kenya African National Union
     8. Kitutu Masaba George Moseti Anyona -Kenya Social Congress
     9. West Mugirango Henry Obwocha -Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD K)
    10.. North Mugirango Borabu Joseph Kiangoi Ombasa -Kenya African National Union  

Richard Momoima Onyonka 

The son to Mrs.Teresa Omoke and the late Cabinet Minister Dr Zachary Onyonka and was born in 1962. Momoima attended St Mary’s Mosocho Primary School, Kisii High School and St Mary’s School, Yala before he joined the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. In 1982, Onyonka was among the students who were jailed over the riots of the abortive coup and he had to return there in 1984 to later complete his course in 1985. After graduation Onyonka went to North Carolina State University where he graduated with a Masters degree in management in 1986. He is a financial economist by profession and currently runs personal businesses in Nairobi and Kisii. He is an official of the Kisii Kanu branch. Apart from having been a prolific campaigner for his father in the 1992 General Election, the eloquent Onyonka made a fruitless trial in the early 1997 Kanu nominations for the then by-election, losing to Jimmy Angwenyi in a nail-biting tussle. His vision for the constituency includes economic empowerment of the common constituents, youth and women groups. He also says that educational standards will be his major focus if he is elected. He hails from Bogeka clan.

Sam Ongeri

The sitting MP, Public Health Minister Ongeri, 64, made his debut in Kenyan Parliament in 1988 and was appointed a Cabinet minister.He lost his seat during the 1992 multi-party elections but was appointed the Permanent Representative to UNEP, a post he held until1997 when he recaptured the Nyaribari Masaba seat. Ongeri went to Gesusu Primary School, Bugema Missionary College before studying pre-medical sciences at Delhi University and later obtaining a Bachelors degree in medicine and surgery at University of Bombay. He has a diploma on child health from London, an MCRP from the UK and diploma certificate from a World Health Organisation. Ongeri, who is a medical consultant nephrologist and immunologist was once the Kenya Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA) chairman, Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) chairman, Kenya National Trading Company (KNTC) chairman, University of Nairobi Post Graduate Training chairman, and the co-ordinator-cum-master of ceremony for the 1987 All Africa Games in Nairobi. He has also served as a lecturer/Professor at he UoN’s Medical School and as a member of the International Amateur Athletics Association (IAAF) medical council. He was theAfrican Students Association (ASA) secretary-general in Delhi and the Kenya Students Union in India president.

Hezron Manduku

A doctor by profession, Manduku first tried his hand in politics in 1988 during the single party era but lost to Prof Sam Ongeri. He returned in the 1992 multi-party elections and floored Ongeri during the Kanu nominations before winning the election against the late former Cabinet minister and DP ticket holder James Nyamweya. In 1997, Manduku lost to Ongeri in the Kanu nominations. He has now decamped to Ford People. Born in 1941, Manduku attended Nyanturago Primary School and Kasubi College of Uganda before joining Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow, where he graduated with a degree in medicine in 1969. He returned to Kenya and worked as a medical doctor at the Kenyatta National Hospital and later as Nyanza, Kakamega and Meru Medical Officer of Health (MOH). He then left the Government job and ventured into private medical practice and currently runs the giant Hema Hospital and Keroka Nursing and Maternity Home. Manduku has served as Shabana FC chairman, Lions Club Kisii/Homa Bay branch chairman, ASK Southern Kenya and was the KUC Football Club founder/chairman.

Ratemo Ouko “Nyara”

Popularly known as Nyara, the one-time SDP stalwart in Kisii was Ongeri’s main opponent in the 1997 General Election but has now decamped to FordPeople, meaning that he will battle out for the party’s ticket with Dr Hezron Manduku and other aspirants. Born in 1947, Nyara who is a prominent businessman in Kisii town, attended Nyamagesa Primary School and Kisii High before he joined Makerere University in 1972 and graduated with a Bachelors degree and a diploma in education. He taught at Kioge Girls High School and later became a long-serving headmaster. He retired when he was at Mobamba High School in 1994 to go into business. He holds various positions in local associations and was the Nyanza Youth Polytechnics chairman between 1982 and 1987.

Nelson Onkoba Nyakoe

A newcomer in the politics of Nyaribari Masaba. Born 42 years ago, he attended Kiamokama Primary School, Itibo Boys and Ibacho High School. He attained a Bachelors degree in commerce at Nagpur University, India in 1988. He came back home to teach in various schools before securing a job as an accountant in the Office of the President but was among the recent retrenchees. He is also targeting the

Simeon Nyachae

Simeon Nyachae was born in 1932 in Nyaribari Chanche, Kisii District.For his education, he attended Nyanchwa and Kereri primary schools, Kisii High School and South Devon Technical College, UK where he studied public administration. He has also attended many courses in administration in Kenya and the UK. In Kenya he studied advanced public administration at the Kenya Institute of Administration and he then went to Churchill College, Cambridge University, UK for further administration courses.
Nyachae is a retired civil servant, a politician and an entrepreneur with wide and varied interests. He is a Member of Parliament representing Nyaribari Chache, Kisii District in the 222-strong Kenya’s National Assembly. Prior to joining active politics in 1992 when he was elected to Parliament.Nyachae served as a senior civil servant in a career that spanned 33 years. He served as Division Officer, District Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner, Permanent Secretary and finally Chief Secretary, Head of the Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet. When he was elected to Parliament, he served in the Cabinet as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Water Development and finally Minister for Finance. He resigned from government in February 1999 on matters of principle to pursue the anti-corruption crusade he had began while in the Finance Ministry.

Charles Ayieni Mirwoba

Making a second appearance in the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary race, Mirwoba will be sticking to the Ford Kenya ticket with which he contested tha last General Election. The pint-sized and humorous politician has maintained a radical stand of criticising outgoing Kisii MPs, accusing them of failing to address pertinent issues affecting the general public. He however made a disastrous performance in the last General Election, coming last behind the four other contenders. Mirwoba attended Gesicho Primary School, Nyanturago Secondary School and St Mary’s Yala High School. He graduated from Kenyatta University with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1984. He is the Kisii Ford Kenya branch secretary.

Henry Onyancha Obwocha

The current West Mugirango MP, Obwocha, 54, graduated from the University of Nairobi with BA degree in economics. He later went to Oxford University in the UK, where he acquired a Masters degree in economics. Before joining politics in 1992, he first worked as the chief accountant of the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya. In 1992, he contested and won the seat on a Ford Kenya. He recaptured the seat in 1997. This time Obwocha is likely to contest the seat on a Ford People ticket. He was once the chairman of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Erneo Nyakiba

Born in 1957, Nyakiba graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelors and Masters degree in medicine. He worked with the Armed Forces Memorial Hospital, from where he quit to join politics in 1997. He vied for the West Mugirango seat on a Kanu ticket in 1997, but lost to the late Tom Sagwe during the nominations stage. He is married to a medic and they have three children. Nyakiba is West Mugirango Kanu sub-branch chairman and the secretary of Nyamira Kanu branch. He operates a private hospital in Nairobi and runs other businesses. He will be vying for the seat on a Kanu ticket. 

Dennis Matara Abincha

A Nairobi-based lawyer, Abincha, who is 36 years old, went to the University of Nagpur, India where he graduated with a first-class honours degree in law. He is an advocate of the High Court and runs his own legal firm, Abincha and Co Advocates in addition to being a legal advisor to Kenindia Assurance Company. Abincha is currently the chairman of Ford People in the constituency and he will seek the party’s nomination to contest the seat. He is a member of the Boards of Governors of over six secondary schools in the area. Abincha is married with two children.

Catherine Moraa Nyamato

Born in 1950, Nyamato is a trained public administrator from the University of Nairobi. She entered politics in 1992 when she contested the West Mugirango parliamentary seat but lost. She has served as an Assistant Principal Immigration Officer. Kanu nominated her to Parliament after she lost to Obwocha. She is currently the chairperson of the Federation of Women’s Groups. She is also the director of the Women Political Alliance in Kenya and the Kenya League of Women voters. At one time she served as treasurer of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation. Nyamato will be seeking Ford People’s endorsement in her bid for the seat. She is married to Cyrus Nyamato and they have five children.

Joseph Mongare Marwanga

Aged 38, Mongare has a diploma in agricultural mechanical engineering from the Rift Valley Institute of Technology. He joined the Armed Forces in 1984 and was posted to the 50th Air Cavalry Battalion at Embakasi. He received further military training at the Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and obtained a diploma on aircraft missiles at the US Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Centre and School. He retired from the Armed Forces in 1992 and contested for the West Mugirango parliamentary seat, coming fourth. He is currently the chief executive of the Nyota Community Foundation, a non-profit organisation. Mongare says that he would like to mobilise the elite from the country, locally and abroad, to fund development projects to benefit the constituency.
He will be seeking a Ford People party nomination.

Daniel Ombachi Mogeni

Almost turning 64 years old, Mogeni will be the oldest candidate in the race. He has a diploma in medicine from an institution in Beirut, Lebanon. Hecontested the West Mugirango parliamentary seat on a Kanu ticket for the first time in 1974, but lost. He also contested in 1979 and 1983 and lost again. He is currently the chairman of private medical practitioners in Nyanza Province. He is also the chairman of the Kisii Farmers Training Centre and operates a private clinic in Nyamira Town. He serves several secondary schools as a Board of Governors member and is also a member of the Nyamira District Development Committee (DDC). He is married with four children and several grandchildren

Sospeter Onuko Mageto

Born 63 years ago, the former envoy was a diplomat for about 20 years. He studied at the New York University and qualified with a Masters degree inpublic administration and personnel management. Mageto obtained a degree in sociology and political science from Hunter College, New York. He served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 1980 and 1998. He was Kenya’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, the US and Mexico. Mageto is a life member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. He was elected West Mugirango MP in 1974. He is determined to win the seat and hopes to face his opponents on a Kanu ticket.

Joseph Kiangoi Ombasa

The incumbent MP, Kiangoi first entered Parliament in 1997. He has made it clear that he will not defect to the Opposition, more so Ford People, merely for the sake of winning the election. Kiangoi, a Nairobi-based lawyer who is also an Assistant Minister for Local Government, has openly declared that he willnot supportFord People leader Simeon Nyachae’s presidential bid. Kiangoi is the Nyamira Kanu branch chairman. He has initiated several development projects, especially funds drives. An exodus of his former staunch supporters to Ford People should send signals that he is in for a tough fight. Kiangoi is also the legal adviser and vice-patron of the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK).

Nyarangi Moturi

A former Member of Parliament for the constituency, Moturi is the man behind the entrenchment of Ford People in Nyamira and is expected to give other contestants a run for their money considering the clout he commands among the Simeon Nyachae supporters. He represented the constituency between 1983 and1988 before Atebe Marita, a former Assistant Minister for Energy, defeated him. He is credited for having initiated the rural electrification programme in the constituency.

Patrick Kibagendi Osero

Aged 39, Sero joins the list of first-time contestants in North Mugirango parliamentary seat. An agriculturalist, Sero went to Thogoto Junior now called Musa Gitau and St Mary’s Mosocho Primary Schools before he joined Cardinal Otunga High School and Meru High School. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture degree from University of Eastern and Southern Africa (Baraton) and was previously a manager at Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC). He is currently in private business and if he is elected, he wants to ensure that among others, the Kisii-Chemosit road becomes a reality.

Barake Maina

Another Opposition aspirant, Barake is a retired secondary school teacher who also is eyeing the Ford People ticket. He is the party’s North Mugirango branch assistant secretary. He has pegged his entry into the race on charges that Kiangoi has failed to live up to his 1997 election promises. However, heis yet to presenthis vision for the constituents of North Mugirango.

Sammy Keengwe

A lawyer by profession, Sammy Keengwe has also declared his interest in the North Mugirango seat. He is based in Nairobi and has not been a frequent personality in the constituency. Although he has not come out clearly on which political party’s ticket he wants to contest for the seat, he has indicated that his loyalty is in theOpposition and not the ruling party.

Zephaniah Moraro Nyangwara

The 41-year-old accountant is the current Bomachoge Member of Parliament and wishes to defend his seat on a Ford People ticket after decamping from Ford Kenya. Nyangwara completed his high school studies at Kisii High School in 1981. He then enrolled for an accounting course and qualified as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA 1). Nyangwara has served as a District Cashier in Kisii, and was also the chairman of Harambee Sacco’s Trans Mara and Kisii branches. He wants to tackle the poor state of the roads in the constituency, the low educational standards, as well as ensuring that there is adequate electricity and water supply for all his constituents if he is given a second chance by the electorate.

Omagwa Elizaphan Angima

After making an unsuccessful attempt for the seat in the 1997 General Election, 42-year-old Angima is no newcomer to the rough and tumble of parliamentary politics. Ill fate befell the practising lawyer in 1997 when he was mugged and lost vital documents before the nomination. Angima, an advocate of the High Court, went to Riokindo Primary School and later to Riokindo Secondary School. He later moved to Thika High School between 1979 and 1980 for his A levels before joining the University of Nairobi. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1985. He was admitted to the Roll of Advocates in 1986. Omagwa served briefly as a District Magistrate II at the Kakamega Law Courts from 1988 to 1990 as the Resident Magistrate. From 1990, he has been running his private legal firm based in Bungoma. His main concerns are the poor marketing of banana produced in the constituency, insecurity and the appalling state of the health facilities.

Credius Nyamwange Oigara

Aged 34, Oigara, another lawyer, is making a debut in elective politics at a youthful age and will have to mobilise adequate grassroots support if he expects to make an impact in the forthcoming General Election. Despite being a newcomer in local politics, Oigara is determined to unseat the incumbent MP and overcome the other four challengers for the Bomachoge seat. However, he is yet to declare on which party’s ticket he intends to run, but he has sent out his feelers to monitor the situation on the ground. Oigara completed his studies at Riango’mbe High School in 1984 and joined Punjab University in India, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and politics. He then did a post graduate diploma in personnel management and public relations before crowning it with a Bachelor of Law degree. His inspiration is to tackle security, education, and farming woes that plague Bomachoge constituents.

David Marcos Rakamba

Born in 1971, Rakamba is so far the youngest contender in the Bomachoge parliamentary race. He joins the growing number of youthful contenders who have thrown their hat into the ring in many parts of the country against the old guard. Rakamba, 31, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Moi University. He went to Getare Primary School between 1978 and 1986 before proceeding to Nyabigena Secondary School where he completed his O levels in 1990. He then went to Moi University for a degree course. Besides the degree, he has undertaken a diploma course in computer science and human resource management. He is currently pursuing studies in political science. His main concern as he prepares for the campaigns is the what he terms as disunity and clannism which has retarded development in constituency. Rakamba also decries the poor state of the infrastructure and the myriad of health and agricultural problems afflicting the constituents.

Koina Onyancha

An advocate of the High Court, practising in Kisii, Onyancha was born in I967. He went to Rondani Primary School (1974 to 1980), Riokindo Boys for his 0-levels between 1981-1984 and Kabarnet High School for A-levels from 1985 to 1986. He proceeded to the University of Nairobi, where he studied law and graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Hons) in I990. He attained a diploma in law at the Kenya School of Law. Before he established his own practising firm, Koina Onyancha and Company Advocates, he practised under Nyairo Orora and Company Advocates between I992 and I995. Despite being a fresher in Bomachoge politics, Onyancha’s contribution to development projects and assistance to victims of the Gucha/Trans Mara border clashes, and the way he has approached the Ogembo tea factory crisis has won commendation from the Bomachoge constituents. He is married with several children and vows that should he be nominated by his Ford People party, he will use every arsenal at his disposal to win the Bomachoge parliamentary seat.

George Anyona

A former student of Alliance High School, Anyona went to Makerere University in Uganda where he graduated with a BA degree in political science. He was detained twice, during both the Kenyatta and Moi regimes due to his anti-Government stand. He has of late been organising and participating in harambee projects for churches and schools in the constituency. Anyona has also started a scheme of donating generators and water pumps, which has benefited over 30 secondary schools. His political critics, however, accuse him of being a Kanu sympathiser despite the harsh treatment he received at the hands of the same Government for along time. Initially Anyona had overwhelming support due to his constant attacks on the Provincial Administration. He is the chairman of KSC and is likely to defend his seat on the party’s ticket.

Walter Nyambati

Born in 1950, Nyambati has a Masters degree in business administration. He worked as an engineer with Kenya Army before resigning in 1991. He is also lawyer by profession courtesy of a parallel degree programme at the University of Nairobi University. Nyambati was the Nyamira Kanu branch secretary and Kitutu Masaba Kanu sub-branch chairman until early last year when he defected to Ford People. He first contested the Kitutu Masaba parliamentary seat on a Kanu ticket in 1992but lost to Anyona and the same happened in 1997. Nyambati has been very active in harambee activities. Despite losing the seat twice, he has been involved in development and other social issues. Nyambati is currently the Kitutu Masaba Ford People branch chairman and will be seeking the Ford People ticket. Nyambati wants to be elected so that he can effectively address the problems in education, agriculture, health and infrastructure.

Timothy Bosire

This will be Bosire’s second attempt to capture the Kitutu Masaba parliamentary seat. In the first attempt in 1997, he contested the seat on a Kanu ticket, but lost during the nomination stage to Gichaba Simba. Bosire says that it is the voters who will determine under which party he will contest the seat. Bosire was born 42 years ago and has a degree in economics from the University of Nairobi. He worked as a senior economist in Ministry of National Planning and Development until 1997 when quit to join politics. Bosire says Kitutu Masaba needs a new and dynamic leadership. He pleads with the electorate to given him chance so that he can address the issues of bad roads, the deterioration in agriculture, and low health and education standards. Bosire is currently running a business firm in Nairobi.

Andrew Ochoki

This is the first time that Ochoki is vying for the seat. He will be seeking a Ford People ticket. The soft spoken gynaecologist is the head of a department at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital. Ochoki went to Kalenior State Medical University in Russia where he did his under-graduate and post-graduate degree in gynaecology. He is also the proprietor of Baraka Maternity and Nursing Home in Nakuru. Since late last year he embarked on giving free medical services and drugs to the constituents. He strongly feels that the constituency’s leadership should change because the previous and current leadership has been unproductive.

Matata Nyakeya

Trained in maritime activities, Matata, 51, holds a Bachelors degree in marine transportation and nautical science. With a long and progressive experience in private, public and self-employment, Matata boasts a wealth of experience (over 28 years) in shipping operations and operations management and awide knowledge of cargo operations and personnel supervision. Captain Nyakeya previously worked for the Kenya Ports Authority. He is widely travelled and has been to eastern and southern Africa, north and west Africa, the Middle East, India, the Far East, Korea, China, Japan, the UK, continental Europe, Austria, C.I.S., the US and Latin America. He has been actively involved in various development projects and activities in Kitutu Masaba, especial in education and sponsoring students for further studies at home and abroad. Matata says that he is offering a pragmatic-pro-active and assertive leadership.

Andrew Maati

He believes that he has the ability to lead the transformation of Kitutu Masaba into an economically vibrant constituency. The 60 year old retired accountant, claims that the current MP has failed to steer effectively development. He recounts the poor state of schools in the constituency, some which, he claims, have never received a facelift since independence. He says that with proper mobilisation, electricity can be connected to the Manga and Rigoma divisional headquarters, probably the oldest in Gusiiland. Electricity, he says, has also affected education standards in the district because students at old schools like Nyambara and Gekano still use lamps for reading. Maati was born in 1948. He worked as a teacher, before taking up accountancy studies. He later worked with the Kenya Tea Development Authority as an accountant for 23 years.

Jimmy Angwenyi

Born in 1945, Angwenyi went through Nyasakia and Sengera primary schools. He then joined Kisii High and Kenyatta College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Maths) degree at the University of Nairobi in 1970 and another degree in commerce and economics at Washington and Lee University in the US in 1972. He worked as a finance officer with Ministry of Local Government and then moved to Caltex where he rose from a management accountant to Group Chief Accountant between 1975 and 1983 when he contested the Kitutu Chache seat and lost narrowly to Onyonka. He later lectured in economics and accounting at Kenyatta University, but left in 1996 to contest the Kitutu Chache by-election which he won in early 1997 on a Kanu ticket. He became assistant minister in 1998 after winning the General Election, but was later dropped over his links with then Kanu rebel Simeon Nyachae.

Sam Keengwe Nyamweya

Born in 1954, Nyamweya went to Kiogo Primary School, Kenya Primary Education Centre and Kisii Progressive High School. He got employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as an untrained teacher at Nyatieko Primary School until 1975. He then joined Babra Group of Companies as a bursar at Kisii Progressive High School (1977-1979). In 1988, he attained a diploma in sales, marketing and accounts from the London School of Sales through distant learning. Nyamweya became the General Manager of Oriental General Stores Ltd and later GM of GB Enterprises and Chief Administrator of Babra Group of Companies learning institutions. He was elected KFF Secretary-General in 1996 and CECAFA Secretary-General in 1998-2000. He is the executive chairman of the Minto Group of Companies. A former moral and financial supporter of both Dr Onyonka and the son, Nyamweya’s considerable resourcefulness and campaign experiences may cause ripples in Kitutu Chache. He is an accountant by profession and hails from Mwamosioma.

Leo Matundura

The runner-up in the Kitutu Chache’s 1997 by-election and the General Election was born in 1951. Matundura who is a Nairobi-based insurance broker attended St Joseph’s Nyabururu Primary School and Cardinal Otunga High School. He then undertook various business management courses before landing a management trainee job with the Industrial Credit and Development Corporation (ICDC) and rose to the rank of a marketing manager (operations) for western Kenya region between 1976 and 1992. He hails from Bonyagatanyi clan. Matundura is running the Nairobi-based Lema Insurance Brokers Ltd. A soft-spoken but focused Ford Kenya politician, Matundura’s sober approach to political issues may give him great mileage when the time comes for soliciting votes.

Jacob Nyaburi

His debut in the Kitutu Chache politics poses a tricky equation to both Angwenyi and the Kanu duo of Nyamweya and Onyonka, although he prefers to keep the party of his choice a secret weapon. Born in 1950, Nyaburi’s former position as one of the prominent campaigners and financial backers of Angwenyi introduces a known story to the locals who also identify him with the formalisation of loans to traders when he was a bank executive. He attended Kenyporo Primary School, Nyamweya Boys Secondary School and Kisii High School before joining the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in accounting and insurance. He later joined Barclays Bank as a management trainee and rose to senior departmental supervisor. Nyaburi also worked with Grindlays Bank as an accounts manager and was a director of Chemelil Sugar Company between 1985 and 1988. He was Trans National Bank’s Nairobi branch manager between 1988 and 1994 and the Tamasha Communications GM from 1995 to 1998. He has been running his Gwoka Insurance Brokers Company since 1990. The career banker and accountant has other investments in real estate and pioneering. He hails from the Mwabogonka clan.

Chris Mogere Obure

The Finance Minister is the incumbent MP and previously represented the area in Parliament between 1983 and 1992, a period during which he served as an Assistant Minister. Obure was born in 1943. He is an alumni of the University of Nairobi where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1968. He also undertook several professional studies that saw him become a member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators (CISA). He later worked with Kenya Breweries as a company secretary and director. Earlier Obure was the company secretary for Bata Shoe Company. He was a prolific footballer with Gor Mahia and Kenya Breweries football clubs. He had the foundation of his political career at the university where he was the Student Union’s vice-president in charge of campus affairs. He ventured into national politics in 1969 when he contested but lost the then Majoge-Bassi seat. He again lost in 1973 won in 1983. He became a casualty of the multi-party elections of 1992, losing to Stephen Manoti who he defeated in the 1997 General Election. Obure has served as Minister for Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and now Finance. He says that his development record is best known to his Bobasi constituents.

Ben Oonge

A medical practitioner, 46-year-old Oonge graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Nairobi and specialise in psychiatry. He has served as a Medical Officer in various towns before opening a private medical clinic in Kakamega where he now operates. Already being seen as the front-runner in the race for the Bobasi parliamentary seat, Oonge has galvanised massive support on the ground where he has been actively involved in various harambee and development activities. He has made substantial contributions for the improvement of schools, churches, youth and women’s groups. “Benways” as he is popularly known has kept in touch with the grassroots, attending to people’s problems and making concerted efforts to address the common issues that affect the constituents. His charismatic nature and amiable manner has further endeared him to the electorate, who commonly chant what has become a slogan: “Benways leads while others follow”. Oonge promises to address the main issues affecting Bobasi people if he is elected to Parliament. His priorities will be in the areas of education, health and agriculture. Oonge says that he will strive to tackle poverty by introducing economic empowerment for the local people. He will also strive to create income-generating activities for the many unemployed youth, boost women self-help activities and address the problems that bedevil the agricultural sector. Oonge says that he will crusade for the Government to improve the pathetic roads network by tarmacking them and also call for the stepping up of the rural electrification programme. Above all he will seek a participatory leadership involving all the local people and enhance the unity of all Bobasi people.

Stephen Kengere Manoti

Stephen Kengere Manoti A banker-cum-accountant by profession, Manoti represented this constituency in the august House between 1992 and 1997. Born 48 years ago, the soft-spoken but outgoing politician attended Nyabite Primary School and Sameta Boys School before he enrolled privately for the KACE examinations in 1976. He soon got a job with the Central Bank of Kenya where he rose to the rank of front office manager before he left in 1986 to venture into private business. While Manoti was with CBK, he attained a diploma in banking through correspondence. In the 1997 General Election, Manoti defected to Safina party after he lost to Chris Obure in the Kanu nominations. However, he still lost to Obure in the elections proper. He has since moved to the Simeon Nyachae-led Ford People where he is the Bobasi constituency chairman. He is a prominent businessman with large investments in the hotel industry, real estate and transport spheres.He says that his wish is to get another mandate to Parliament so as to bolster the educational, health and agricultural sectors in Bobasi. Manoti indicates that during his 1992-1997 term he sourced millions of shillings for harambees in the constituency.

Morara Reseni Ombati

Populary known as Kepta Ombati, the 30-year-old candidate is the youngest of all the contenders for the Bobasi parliamentary seat. He will be vying for the seat on a Ford-People ticket. If he makes it past the party nomination stage, he is tipped to give the incumbent MP Chris Obure of Kanu a run for his money. This is because of the raging wave of Ford People in Gusiiland and the fact that Mr Simon Nyachae will be vying for the Presidency. Ombati graduated from Kenyatta University in 1995 with Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He is currently the head of National Convention Executive Council (NCEC) secretariat in Nairobi. A trained drafter from the Public Law Centre of Tulane University, Lousiana, USA, he is also a beneficiary of the Democracy Scholarship Programme of the Marquette University, Wisconsin, USA. Ombati is currently the vice-president of the East African Youth Council based in Arusha, a member of Centre for Law and Research International (Clarion) and a trustee of the of the Human Rights House. Ombati is promising to address what he calls the poverty of ideas that has characterised the lives of Bobasi constituents. He believes that a paradigm shift is a must if his people are to be freed from the noose of dependency. He envisages a new Bobasi with the concept of collective leadership exercised through a constituency parliament which he is promising to establish once in office.

David Kombo

Mr Kombo is South Mugirango former parliament representative an cabinet member. He is a prominent businessman and certified public accountant. By profession he is a CPA Accountant, graduated from Nairobi University in 1969. Entered politics in 1988 with a Kanu nomination to represent South Mugirango constituency in parliament. In the same year was appointed Assistant Minister in the ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and later promoted to the Ministry of Commerce considering his accounting background and great leadership skills. Served in parliament for five years and now an active member in the Kisii Kanu Branch office.

Joash Cavendish Omandi

Born 02 December 1966 at Boige village Chitago location, Etago Division in Gucha District. He attended Etago primary School between 1974 and 1980,in 1984 he completed ‘O’-levels at Uriri high school S. Nyanza, Completed ‘A’- level at St. Joseph's Rapogi High S. Nyanza 1986 , grad ated with Diploma in Science education from Moi Science teachers college Eldoret in 1990,taught in Sosio Secondary School (199 -1993), Magena Secondary School (1994-1996). In 1996 he quit eaching and proceed d for further studies USA. He graduated with applied Science degree in Computer administration and
applications from KRS computer & Business college Minnesota USA in 1998 Two years later he graduated with Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Management Information Systems from National American University Minnesota USA. In
the same year qualified as a Microsoft certified systems Engineer (MCSE). He currently works as a Director of information systems with Gloryland Vision International in Minnesota USA. He owns Cavendish Express Systems a computer
consultancy firm where he serves as CEO. Joash is running in South Mugirango.