Probably fed up with snide remarks about the Senate being a retirement home or “Nyumba ya Wazee”, several senators from Nyanza have set their eyes on gubernatorial seats in the 2017 General Election.

The senators have seemingly also been motivated by the fact that governors control billions of shillings while they don’t. They now want to wrestle power from the incumbents.

Senators James Orengo, Anyang’ Nyong’o and Chris Obure want to run in Siaya, Kisumu and Kisii respectively.

Although elections are 18 months away, 30 new entrants, among them several senators, have declared interest to vie in Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, Kisii, Nyamira and Homa Bay counties.

This will make the race for gubernatorial positions in Nyanza a bruising one as all are seeking the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket, which is a sure way of clinching the seat.

As the incumbents bank on their development records as their selling points, the new entrants are poking holes in the governors’ development records and are promising to oust them from power.

In Kisumu, Prof Nyong’o has to fight it out with Governor Jack Ranguma, his deputy Ruth Odinga, a UK trained medical doctor Hezron McObewa, Kisumu branch Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chairlady Atieno Otieno, Rhoda Ahonobadha, Barack Obonyo, Owino Omolo, David Wayiera, Billy Kariaga, Ojwang Kombudo, Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir and Francis Osenya.

Apart from Dr McObewa, Mr Shabbir, Nyong’o and Osenya, the rest took part in the ODM nominations. Mr Osenya vied on The National Alliance (TNA) party.

In Siaya, the political battle is among Governor Cornel Rasanga, Carey Orege, Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, Mr Orengo and William Oduol.

Orengo is a close ally of Raila and his entry into the race might complicate matters for the rest. Last week, ODM Chairman John Mbadi backed Orengo’s candidature, saying he has done a lot for the party and country and deserves to be governor.

Mbdi had earlier in the month attended a home-coming party for Mr Orege, who is the Siaya ODM branch chairman and also supported his bid.

Oduol contested in 2013 and lost to Rasanga. He challenged the results in court but Rasanga emerged victorious in the by-election.

The Raila factor

In Migori, Governor Okoth Obado, who is also close to Raila, revealed that he will seek re-election on an ODM ticket. He quit the party in 2013 after failing to get nominated and won the seat on a People’s Democratic Party ticket.

He will battle it out with Eng Mark Nyawita, Rose Anyanga, Prof Akong’o Oyugi, Ochillo Ayacko and George Oywer.

In Kisii, Senator Obure, Governor James Ongwae and lawyer Patrick Lumumba Nyaberi will battle it out.

Mr Obure accuses Mr Ongwae of reneging on pre-election agreement that was meant to distribute county posts among the county’s clans.

But Ongwae says he has done his best and wants a second term to finish his projects. Both are ODM branch officials and close to Raila and people will wait to see who clinches the party’s ticket.

Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti will face prominent businessman Sam Wakiaga.

“Hon Raila requested me to give room to the late Kajwang’ but now, I am going for the governor’s seat to serve our people. I will use my skills as a prominent investor to transform Homa Bay to compete with Nairobi and Mombasa,” Wakiaga said.

But Awiti has promised to initiate more projects to uplift the living standards of the residents.

In Nyamira, Governor John Nyagarama will face Erneo Nyakiba, a consultant gynaecologist, veterinary doctor Charles Mochama, Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Chairman Walter Nyambati and former Kitutu Masaba MP Okioma Nyang’au.

Since assuming office, Mr Nyagarama has faced opposition from his senator, Okong’o Omogeni, who has accused him of mismanaging county resources. But Nyagarama says people will give him a second term despite ‘noise from a few disgruntled politicians’.