Obwocha faces a crowded field

West Mugirango, which is one of the three constituencies in Nyamira District, has remained an Opposition stronghold ever since the advent of multi-party politics in 1992.The incumbent MP Henry Obwocha for many years remained steadfast in Ford Kenya, on whose ticket he has twice captured the seat - in 1992 and 1997.

He now seems to be distancing himself from Ford-Kenya and is leaning towards Ford People.Obwocha has been a high-profile figure at functions involving the Simeon Nyachae-led Ford-P and it is almost a foregone conclusion that he will defend his seat on the party’s ticket.The going will not be so easy for the current MP, as so far ten people have declared their candidature for the seat and he will have to apply all his strategic skills and resources to ensure that he goes back to Parliament. West Mugirango, which has two administrative divisions - Nyamaiya and Nyamira - has about 50,000 registered voters, and hosts the headquarters of the district’s provincial administration. The constituency is endowed with good soils which have encouraged the growing of tea and maize.

There are two tea factories at Kebirigo and Gianchore and four coffee co-operative societies. Obwocha is expected to face stiff opposition from Nyakiba, Abincha, Nyamato, Marwanga and Mogeni.The other candidates who have also declared their interest in the seat are Zedekiah Agata, Zephaniah Nyanga’u, Ondeyo Nyaribari and David Nyambane Omato.If Obwocha opts to defend his seat on a Ford-P ticket, he will have to face off with Abincha, Nyamato, Nyang’au and Obenga during the nomination stage.

Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) directors John Nyagarama and Majuma Osoro have also joined the crowded Ford-P bandwagon.Those seeking the Kanu ticket to vie for the seat are Dr Nyakiba, Mageto and Mogeni.Nyaribari is the sole Kenya Social Congress candidate. Clannism will be a major factor once again.The four major clans in the constituency are Bosamaro, Bogichora, Bonyamatuta and Bobamabacho. Obwocha and Mogeni hail from the Bosamaro clan which is well known for its unity when it comes to voting.Abincha, Nyagarama, Majuma, Omato and Nyanga’u come from Bonyamatuta clan, who rarely field one candidate.Nyakiba and Nyamato come from the Bogichora clan, while Agata, Obenga and Nyaribari are from the Bobamabacho clan.Obwocha’s rivals claim he has not adequately addressed the problems in the education and health sectors.

They also say he has not fully attended to the issue of the poor infrastructure, especially the pathetic state of roads, which greatly affects the farmers and other residents of the constituency.The critics further accuse Obwocha of failing to address the problems which have bedevilled the coffee sector which has collapsed due to bad leadership.The Nyachae factor will play a major part in determining the eventual winner of the West Mugirango parliamentary seat.

Will Obwocha surmount the challenge mounted by the candidates in this crowded field? The answer will only be known after the votes will have been counted.