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Incumbent faces battle with old rival
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 02 June 2007 23:52
The candidates hope that the constituency will be split to create at least a separate Borabu. Borabu division has an estimated population of 64,780 and 22,266 registered voters, making a strong candidate for a full-fledged poll area.
The seat has also attracted businessmen Patrick Osero and Benjamin Moreka, Mr Amos Nyaribo, Mr Charles Ombui, as well as former MP Alfayo Nyarangi Moturi and his younger brother Nyayiemi Moturi.
The others are: Mr Isaac Keengwe, retired military brigadier Manyara Mikae, Mr Magare Suleiman, lawyer Bernard Momanyi, Mr Moses Monari, Mr Charles Makone, Mr Josephen Nyarera, Ms Rebecca Nyaanga, Mrs Nyarinda Moikobu and Mr Charles Otwori.
The name of high schoolteacher Mong’are Munde is also being mentioned as well as that of Kenya Tea Packers Association chairman and Kenya Tea Development Agency director John Nyagarama, who could shift his base from West Mugirango to Borabu if the constituency is split.
The area’s economic activity is agriculture — mainly tea, coffee, maize and dairy farming. Coffee production in the lower parts of Nyamusi division has been diminishing, further impoverishing the residents.
The high poverty levels might have been aggravated by poor management of cooperative societies. In the recent past, however, NGOs like World Vision have started programmes aimed at alleviating poverty.
Roads minister Simeon Nyachae’s Ford People has a big presence, while Narc-Kenya and the opposition ODM Kenya are making inroads.
Mr Masanya, who rose from a primary schoolteacher to become a Kenya National Trading Corporation manager, will be starting his campaign from a rather weak point as he is accused of a poor development record. Some constituents also say that he rarely contributes to debates in Parliament.
Inequitable distribution
And his opponents accuse him of sidelining areas which did not support him in the last election and of inequitable distribution of the Constituency Development Fund money.
Mr Masanya rode to Parliament in 2002 on a Ford-People ticket, taking advantage of the euphoria Mr Nyachae had created in Kisii as a presidential candidate. He had tried unsuccessfully since 1974 and taken the second position each time.
But the situation could be different this time as the political landscape in Kisii is changing by the day, mainly as political parties forge alliances ahead of the December elections.
He cannot be underrated as he has supported various development projects with the CDF money.
His supporters argue that he has a better grasp of the local problems than any other politician in the past. But his opponents accuse him of inability to lobby for government jobs for his people, as is seen in the other constituencies in Kisii.
Despite the criticism, the MP is rated highly for assisting in the construction of an Anti-Stock-Theft Unit camp at Memisi, which has reduced cattle rustling in Buret, Bomet, Masaba and Trans-Mara districts.
Mr Kiangoi of ODM-K may have an edge, depending on the survival of the party after picking its presidential candidate.
He has been contributing generously to development projects in the area despite losing the seat in 2002.
The fact that he has homes in two divisions qualifies him to contest in either constituency after a split.
The entry of Mr Ombui, the general manager of the Gusii Mwalimu Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, has complicated matters for Mr Masanya. The two come from the same clan, although this is not a major factor.
Mr Ombui has a lot of influence among teachers who are the opinion leaders at the grassroots.
Mr Osero is a son of former West Mugirango MP Joseph Osero Nyaberi.
He is a vocal politician who has a good following in Borabu where he has concentrated his campaigns through harambees and the sponsorship of sports activities. Campaigning on an ODM-K ticket, he might be the man to watch if Borabu becomes a constituency.
Mr Osero started out as a member of the Youth for Kanu 92 lobby group of Mr Cyrus Jirongo, having had a stint at the Agricultural Development Corporation. He has since been involved in business and property management.
Mr Moturi was an MP between 1988 and 1992 after defeating Mr Atebe Marita. He won through the infamous Kanu queue-voting system when he was elected unopposed, having garnered more than 80 per cent of the nomination votes.
But he may be disadvantaged this time around because he is in the race with his younger brother, Mr Nyayiemi, of Narc Kenya who recently retired as the marketing manager of Kisii Bottlers.
A political newcomer
Dr Keengwe is a newcomer in politics since he has spent most his time as a medical consultant in the United Kingdom.
Mr Nyaribo, a former under-secretary in the Office of the President, has been a supporter of Mr Kiangoi, but he now wants to give it a shot.
The three women candidates may find the going tough in a male-dominated arena.
Mrs Nyarera is a tutor at Asumbi Teachers College, who will be banking on fellow women and youth power for votes.
Mrs Moikobu is a seasoned politician who has unsuccessfully tried to capture the seat four times.
Mrs Nyaanga, a nurse, is a vocal politician who has championed the cause of women.
