2007 Elections

WEST MUGIRAGO - Tricky contest for Obwocha, the emerging local kingpin

Details

Published on Tuesday, 18 September 2007 06:07

Planning and National Development minister Henry Onyancha Obwocha is tipped by many to emerge as the successor to Roads minister Simeon Nyachae as the kingpin of Kisii politics.

Mr Nyachae has been sending mixed signals on his intentions to retire, but even as Mr Obwocha is measured on whether he is up to fitting into such massive boots, he still has the difficult task of defending his West Mugirango constituency seta.

West Mugirango is one of the three constituencies that form Nyamira district. The others are Kitutu Masaba and Borabu/North Mugirango.

Following the recent creation of Masaba District, some sections of the district, mainly from Borabu and Kitutu Masaba have been proposed to be hived out of Nyamira.

Mr Obwocha has held West Mugirango for three consecutive terms, first being elected on a Ford Kenya ticket in the first multi-party elections in 1992, retaining it on the same ticket in 1997 and again in 2002, this time on Mr Nyachae’s Ford People ticket.

It is not clear on the ground whether the people of West Mugirango are going to vote for Mr Obwocha because some express optimism that he would take over from Mr Nyachae as a uniting force for Gusii leaders after the Roads minister retires.

But even without the issue of Mr Nyachae’s retirement, his Ford People, which own all the Kisii seats and has moved into President Kibaki’s Government of National Unity, is facing a fierce onslaught from ODM Kenya which dominated the regions vote 2005 constitutional referendum.

The coming elections will present in the Kisii districts a major showdown between ODM-K and Ford People, which is still struggling to keep its separate identity despite an alliance in the government with Nark Kenya.

Another complication is that the performance of Ford People in the area at the 2002 elections was largely influenced by Mr Nyachae’s [residential candidacy.

It is almost certain know that Mr Nyachae will not be standing for president and will instead back a second term for President Kibaki. In which case the local people this time might not feel all that constrained to solidly back Ford People, which could work o the detriment of Mr Obwocha and and all other party candidates in the region.

Among the top contenders in the constituency are Nairobi-based lawyer Denis Abincha, who previously supported Mr Obwocha but says it is his turn this time round.

With Mr Abincha is a crowd which is seeking ODM-K nominations. They include Dr James Gesami, Dr Erneo Nyakiba, Mr Joseph Rioba, Mr Daniel Ombachi and Mr Fred Makamara.

The battle for Narc-K nomination pits former nominated MP Mrs Catherine Nyamato, who performed credibly on the Ford Asili ticket in 2002, and retired banker Mr Stephen Mogaka.