Nyangwara in a stiff political fight

Incumbent Bomachoge MP Zephania Nyangwara will be facing an acid test when he defends his seat during the forthcoming General Election.He appears to be under siege as the date for the elections approaches, with more than 10 candidates eyeing his seat.The aspirants include Nairobi-based lawyer and former Kakamega Resident Magistrate Elizaphan Omagwa Angima, a Nairobi quantity surveyor Simon Ogari, a Kisii-based lawyer Koina Onyancha and a former MP Zephaniah Mogunde Anyieni.

Others are Jason Omambia, a retired Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) executive, Joel Onyancha, a school principal, Zedekiah Magara, a former MP, Zakaria Nyarango a former Director of Elections, Nyamwange Oigara, a Nairobi lawyer and David Marcos Rakamba.Angima, 42, is likely to give Nyangwara the stiffest challenge, given his chequered career, financial clout and the fact that he hails from the populous Abakione clan.Nyangwara, 41, and a Kanu rebel MP, like all other Members of Parliament from Gusiiland, will have to contend with the Simeon Nyachae factor, which has permeated all corners of the three districts occupied by the Abagusii in the run up to the polls.

Nyachae’s stab at the presidency on a Ford People ticket has relegated to second place the clan factor which is usually so decisive in who determines who represents Bomachoge.Nyangwara’s open disagreement with Nyachae, the Nyaribari Chache MP, could turn out to be his greatest undoing as he prepares to defend his seat.Nyangwara has openly declared he has quit Kanu and will be defending his seat on a Ford People ticket. However, Nyachae will play a crucial role in deciding who is to be nominated to vie on a Ford People ticket in virtually all the constituencies in Gusiiland.

Political pundits say Nyangwara has lost favour in the eyes of the electorate after allegedly precipitating an ugly skirmish between his clan, the Abamachoge and the Abaochi, in which several people were seriously injured and several livestock stolen.It is also not lost in the memory of the electorate that Nyangwara, in a bid to influence the South Mugirango 2001 by-election, transported youths from Bomachoge to the neighbouring constituency.His constituents are also said to be not happy with the way the legislator has handled the ethnic clashes between the Maasai and the Abagusii.A recent rape incident at Mokomoni Secondary School has further complicated the issue, with claims and counter-accusations levelled by the victims over the alleged assailants.

Nyangwara was elected to Parliament on a Kanu ticket in 1997. He has during his tenure tried to improve on the provision of facilities to schools, health centres and churches.He hails from the Abamachoge clan. The other clans are Abambaba and Abaochi.Pundits are arguing that this time round Bomachoge should be represented by a younger person with a university degree.The candidates will be expected to address the poor state of roads, the banana industry and falling education standards.Angima comes from the Abakione clan which has so far produced the highest number of aspirants - Ogari, Omambia, Onyancha and Nyarango.Bomachoge constituency accommodates the Gucha District headquarters in Ogembo town and is situated along the busy Kisii/Kilgoris highway. Bomachoge has two administrative divisions, Kenyenya and Ogembo. The constituency has a total of 47,035 registered voters.