The 2022 Kisii governorship contest has been complicated further by Transport Chief Administrative Secretary Chris Obure’s entry.
Obure, 76, came in second in the last election won by pioneer Governor James Ongwae, who is serving his second and last term in line with the Constitution.
The race is crowded and dominated by titans, and has attracted more than 10 aspirants, most of whom are men who have been in politics for years.
Mr Obure served as MP for Bobasi before the advent of devolution and was elected to represent Kisii in the Senate in 2013.
He held various ministerial portfolios under presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki and carved a niche in Gusii politics.
“Today, after a long self-search, coupled with the urge of people across the county that I be their governor, I declare that I am officially in the race for Kisii governorship,” he said at St Vincent Pastoral Centre, Kisii, on Tuesday.
His announcement ends speculation about his 2022 political interests. Though he did not announce the party whose flag he will fly, only saying he was still in the Jubilee Party, there are reports he will be rejoining the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
This would complicate the fight for the ticket even further as Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati, Senator Sam Ongeri, Deputy Governor Joash Maangi and Woman Rep Janet Ong’era will be facing off for the ODM ticket.
“For now I am still in the Jubilee Party and as you all know, the party has very strong ties with ODM. Whether it will be ODM or Jubilee Party is immaterial. I’m sure what our people want for now is not issues about parties but a clear manifesto of what I am out to do for them,” he said.
Mr Obure’s entry is viewed as one meant to neutralise Mr Arati who has mounted a serious campaign in the last five months.
Prof Ongeri, Mr Maangi and Ms Ong’era have united with Mr Ongwae in a plot to lock out Mr Arati from the ODM ticket. But the Dagoretti North MP is not backing off and has promised a gruelling political fight.
Already, he has opened 11 ODM offices across the county, rivalling those opened by Mr Ongwae and his team. Interestingly, Mr Arati and Ms Ong’era hail from the populous Bobasi constituency and so is Mr Obure. The clan factor plays a central role in determining election outcomes of county seats, as evidenced by the past two general elections.
Though one may argue that his announcement to make another bid at the governorship is late, Obure’s candidature has been described by both friend and as one aimed at splitting Bobasi vote.
Other hopefuls include former South Mugirango MPs Manson Nyamweya and Omingo Magara, Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Machogu and Charles Matoke. BY DAILY NATION
