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Why Gusii Has Attracted Record Number of Hopefuls
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- Published on Tuesday, 22 January 2008 07:18
The electoral commission of Kenya last week gazetted the 33 contenders the commission cleared to contest the seat which was previously held by Ford People's Mwancha Okioma.
A special ballot paper with three columns containing eleven names each is being printed in the UK, according to ECK. Mr Okioma will have a phenomenal task in beating the 32 opponents some of them seasoned politicians. The constituency was made famous by the late George Anyona Moseti, the once flamboyant and maverick politician.
But out the 33, only three are serious candidates and they include Mr Okioma, Mr Timothy Moseti Bosire of ODM and National Labour Party's Walter Nyambati, all seasoned politicians who have fought battles since 1992.
Mr Nyambati has contested thrice and lost while Mr Bosire has contested twice and lost the battle for the constituency's 80, 886 registered voters.
Other comparatively strong candidates are Mr Meshack Ngare (UPC), Mr Henry Obwaya Onsinyo (PICK) and Mr Phillip Bosire (CDP). Surprisingly, all the 33 candidates are all men.
The Gusii region's 10 constituencies have recorded the highest number of parliamentary aspirants in this year's general elections.
The high number of aspirants may give easy victories to outgoing MPs who have been accused of 'sponsoring' candidates from their strong opponent's strongholds.
Some have been dismissed, as decoys aiming at stifling real and actual competition for various reasons other than leadership while others are opportunists out to cash in.
Clan ego has also been identified as a reason for the high turnover of aspirants in the region. Each clan feels that it is their time to lead or being represented by one of their own.
Others according to political observers others are doing a game. "They have the money and playing a game regardless of the consequences," said a political observer.
Some young professionals have also entered the race to market themselves ahead of the 2012 polls.
A university of Nairobi don Dr Wafula Muyila attributed the high turnover of aspirants to more people viewing parliament as a lucrative form of employment because of the high salaries and allowances the MPs enjoy.
Roads minister Simeon Nyachae is facing a crowded field of 19 contenders and last he said the constituents were not ready to give him a successor.
"I told you to identify somebody who can take over from me but now you have given me 19 opponents. I know most of them will burn out before the elections day," he said when he presided over the 16th edition of the Nyaribari Chache annual cultural festival at Nyanturago.
However, Mr Nyachae's most formidable opponents are Narc's Dr Onsare Monda, ODM's Chris Bichage and ODM Kenya's Nyagaka Tong'i. The constituency has 60, 040 registered voters.
In West Mugirango, Planning minister Henry Obwocha will be facing 23 opponents among them former nominated MP Catherine Nyamato of Narc Kenya, Dr James Gesami of ODM and ODM Kenya's Dennis Abincha who will fight it out for the 68, 243 votes.
Here is where clannism is prevalent as Mr Obwocha depends on his Abasamaro clan for votes and they vote for him as a block. Even though Mr Obwocha will fight for the clan vote with Safina's Fred Makamara, other clans also have more than one candidate and that is likely to affect their chances of dislodging Mr Obwocha who has been area MP since 1992.
In Kitutu Chache, 20 candidates have shown their interest in unseating Mr Jimmy Angwenyi. They include his former ally James Elvis Ongwae (ODM), Richard Onyonka (PDP), Osoro Kebati (Mazingira) and new entrant, Migosi Ogamba of Kenya social Congress.
However the battle for the constituency's 85, 883 votes is likely to revolve around Mr Angwenyi, Mr Ongwae, a newcomer into politics and Mr Onyonka who enjoys near fanatical support in Mosocho division where he hails from. Mr Onyonka has contested the seat unsuccessfully since his father Dr Zachary Onyonka died 12 years ago.
Bonchari has recorded 17 candidates. However, the battle 40, 846 votes is expected to be between the outgoing MP John Zebedeo Opore (Ford People) and Charles Onyancha (ODM).
In North Mugirango, Mr Godfrey Masanya fought 30 years to be Member of Parliament but he has never faced 27 opponents, as it is the case now. He will renew rivalry with former area MPs Joseph Kiangoi (ODM) and Nyarangi Moturi (LRP).
However the entry of former Mwalimu Sacco general manager Wilfred Ombui (Kanu) Amos Nyaribo (Kifagio) and Patrick Osero (Safina) may complicate matters for the veteran politicians with the strong wind of change sweeping in the area. The constituency has the highest number of registered voters in the region standing at 98, 092.
Mr Ombui comes from the same clan with Mr Masanya and he enjoys support from professionals including teachers while Mr Osero enjoys fanatical support from Borabu division where he has concentrated his campaigns for the last ten years.
With outgoing MP Hezron Manduku and former cabinet minister Sam Ongeri renewing rivalry, they will be facing several other formidable candidates among them former DC Ezekiel Machogu (ODM), Dr Charles Maranga (NDA) Prof Ratemo Michieka (NPPK), Bernard Ondari (Narc) and youthful Bungoma lawyer Ocharo Kebira (Kenda).
They are among 21 aspirants fighting for the 54, 467 votes in the area. However, the battle will revolve around Prof Ongeri, Dr Manduku, and Mr Machogu.
The battle of siblings will be replicated in South Mugirango constituency where the outgoing MP Omingo Magara will face his younger sister Karen Nyamoita. A total of 16 candidates were cleared to contest the seat among them Manson Oyongo Nyamweya (Ford People), former area MP David Kombo (ODM Kenya) and former high school teacher Ibrahim Ochoi (New Ford Kenya). The constituency has 56, 012 registered voters.
Bomachoge constituency with 70, 590 registered voters has attracted 27 aspirants. Assistant minister for sports is facing two former area MPs Zephaniah Nyangwara (ODM) Ferdinand Obure (Narc Kenya). They will try to break the one term jinx for MPs in the area.
The battle of titans is expected in Bobasi constituency where monied politicians will battle it out for the 78, 571 registered voters. Outgoing MP Stephen Manoti will lock horns with former cabinet minister Chris Obure (ODM) and his cousin Naftali Mogere.
