Development scorecard to determine who bags top seat in Western counties

Governors in Western are having sleepless nights as a section of MPs, Senators and professionals seek to edge them out in 2017 elections.

In Kakamega, Senator Boni Khalwale will seek party nomination to battle it out with Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

“I am in the race for Kakamega governor seat in the next polls. There is no turning back and I will vie on Ford Kenya Party. Those who were scared I will be an ODM aspirant should not worry,’’ said the senator.

Mr Oparanya who is also the ODM deputy party leader has declared he is ready to face off with Dr Khalwale.

“My development record speaks out for itself and there is no way anybody can wish it away. Residents will decide on the ballot box,” he said.

In Busia, Funyula MP Paul Otuoma and ODM Vice Chairman will join the contest to unseat Governor Sospeter Ojaamong.

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Barrack Muluka, a political analyst, argues that whoever gets ODM party ticket in the two counties stands a better chance to clinch the plum post. Mr Ojaamong, who is a long time ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga, says anyone is free to challenge him in 2017.

“There is internal democracy in ODM. The seat will be declared vacant and nominations carried out. After nominations let the loser support the winner,” he said.

However, it will not be smooth ride for the governor who has fallen out with Busia Senator Amos Wako and most lawmakers in the county.

ODM Secretary General and Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba is on record saying it would be difficult for the party that sponsored Ojaamong to convince people to support him in 2017 due to his poor development record.

“As the secretary general of ODM I don’t know what to tell the people of Busia come 2017 when they question the achievements of the county government,” said Mr Namwamba.

Dr Otuoma has already started making inroads in the border county and has won support of a section of legislators and MCAs.

Busia governorship race has also attracted  Lucas Meso (Managing Director Agriculture Finance Cooperation), Eng Dan Barasa (Managing Director National Irrigation Board), Humphrey Nakitare (Kisumu County Secretary) and Eng Vincent Sidai (UDF) who came second in the last elections.

In Bungoma, Governor Ken Lusaka will face former Kanduyi MP Alfred Khangati and businessman Wycliffe Wangamati. There is speculation that Tongaren MP Simiyu Eseli could be in the race too.

It will be Khangati’s second stab at the gubernatorial race.

In Vihiga County, the stakes are high after Emuhaya MP Wilbur Otichillo declared interest in the governor’s seat. Dr Otichillo is banking on his record as the best performing legislator in Parliament to win the seat.

“I am a development oriented leader who will transform the county economically if elected in office. I will challenge Governor Moses Akaranga in 2017 polls,” he said.

Mr Akaranga vied on the Progressive Party of Kenya ticket which is unpopular in the region. He has only one elected MCA in Vihiga County Assembly. Majority are UDF followed by ODM. Long serving Vihiga MP Yusuf Chanzu has also declared interest in the seat.