Battle for power: Who wants to dethrone Nakuru and Bomet governors?

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and Chama Cha Mashinani party leader Isaac Ruto when they shared a platform on Wednesday, January 28, 2020, at Kipreres in Bomet East. [Gilbert Kimutai/standard] Exactly two and a half years before the next General Election, the political landscape in Bomet and Nakuru counties is already charged with early campaign fever. In Bomet County, several prominent politicians are positioning themselves to succeed Governor Hilary Barchok and challenge other elected officials. This surge in political activity has intensified since the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) began investigating Barchok's administration over alleged mismanagement of Sh1.4 billion. Both seasoned and emerging politicians have been organising social events to lay the groundwork for their campaigns. Additionally, some are hosting sports competitions under the guise of talent development, offering substantial prizes to winners to boost their popularity. Governor Barchok is currently serving his final term, with reports indicating that he is eyeing the senatorial seat held by Senator Hillary Sigei. Former Chama Cha Mashinani party leader and Judicial Service Commission (JSC) member Isaac Ruto, who lost in the last election, is reportedly keen on making a political comeback. His aides reveal that he is still pursuing his second and final term, having quietly held meetings with key supporters and his inner circle. Recently, Ruto urged elected leaders to focus on serving the public rather than engaging in premature politics. "I lost the seat, but I supported those who won. This is the time to work and deliver on the promises made to residents. There is no reason to engage in early politics; that time will come," he stated. Former Konoin MP Julius Kones has also been actively campaigning for the governorship. He has emerged as one of Barchok's fiercest critics, consistently raising concerns about governance in the county and the failure of leaders to deliver. "Political projects will never truly serve the people; their loyalty lies with their masters. This is our reality in this county," Kones told a gathering in Konoin last Saturday. Kones explained that he did not contest the Bomet gubernatorial seat in 2022 as he was focused on supporting tea farmers in the region. "I took a break to lead the tea reforms in the South Rift region. I am now ready to serve the people of Bomet as their governor in the next elections." Currently, Kones serves in a technical support role for the government on tea reforms and has emphasised the importance of public service, particularly in addressing challenges faced by tea farmers. "When given a position, serve the people to the best of your ability. I wanted to ensure I could lead significant tea policy reforms without mixing it with politics," he explained. He noted, "I have been advocating for this since I joined Parliament in 2008. At the time, many-including the government-resisted challenging the status quo. When a conducive environment emerged, I seized the opportunity, and the results are now evident." Having supported former governors Isaac Ruto and the late Joyce Laboso, Kones believes it is now his turn to lead. "I have supported the founding governor Ruto, the late Laboso, and the current governor, Hilary Barchok. If I were power-hungry, I would have contested for the seat earlier. Instead, I prioritised unity among leaders and the community," he remarked. Political activity intensifies in Nakuru County In Nakuru County, political activity has also intensified, with multiple politicians eyeing Governor Susan Kihika's seat. Kihika has been in the national spotlight due to growing concerns from residents and leaders over her extended absence from office over the past five months. She has defended her absence, stating that she has been on maternity leave. However, Senator Tabitha Karanja has called on members of the county assembly to initiate an impeachment motion against Kihika. Karanja, who is widely rumoured to be interested in the governorship in 2027, has been one of Kihika's most vocal critics. Alongside other potential candidates, she has been visiting various electoral wards, holding meetings with residents, and promoting her agenda. These leaders have been actively attending social gatherings, including church services and funeral functions, using them as platforms to connect with the community. Among the declared gubernatorial aspirants is Geoffrey Mwangi, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). Mwangi has pledged to offer alternative leadership focused on professionalism and transparency in county governance. Despite being credited with transforming NHIF and increasing its revenue, Mwangi was removed from office after facing corruption-related charges concerning procurement systems at the organisation. These charges were later dismissed following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Joel Kairu, the former Nakuru County Assembly Speaker, has also declared his intention to run for governor in 2027. Kairu believes his experience as a county assembly speaker and a county executive committee member for roads equips him to advance Nakuru's development. "I have worked in both the county executive and legislative arms of government. I was part of the teams that developed policies laying the foundation for county government operations," Kairu stated. Another contender is James Mungai, Nakuru's first senator, who has reportedly held consultations with various leaders in the region. Meanwhile, Lee Kinyanjui, the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investment and former governor of Nakuru, has remained tight-lipped about his political ambitions. Before his appointment, Kinyanjui hinted at his interest in reclaiming the governor's seat in the next General Election. Since assuming office, however, he has largely stayed away from political forums and social media discussions. Close associates indicate that he still harbours political aspirations but is currently focused on his ministerial role while waiting for the right moment to resume his campaign efforts. Kihika has faced criticism from various leaders in the county over her confrontational approach and failure to drive development projects. Reports from the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget have accused her administration of engaging in irregular county spending, operating unauthorised bank accounts, and making expenditures outside the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). County assembly members have also criticised Kihika, accusing her of a lack of leadership and failure to implement projects aligned with the county budget. Kihika gained national attention after her administration allegedly hired goons to invade Nakuru War Memorial Hospital, a privately owned facility, claiming its lease had expired. The hospital, which has been privately owned for over a century, had its lease renewed by the Lands Ministry, a move that Kihika alleged involved fraudulent dealings. The Senate later summoned Kihika over the invasion, which resulted in patients being forcibly removed from their wards. This summons followed a petition filed against her by Senator Karanja, who has emerged as one of her fiercest critics over the past two years. Additional reporting by Steve Mkawale.

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