Inside Siaya's Senate seat contest

 ODM leader Oburu Oginga. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga's stature may have risen after he was confirmed as the ODM Party Leader, but that has not dampened the spirit of aspirants seeking his senatorial seat. 

The race has attracted youthful faces who are steadily entering the political conversation, armed with bold promises of accountability and a generational shift in leadership.

Though still early, aspirants have quietly but firmly hit the campaign trail, positioning themselves to challenge Oburu, who has dominated the senatorial politics in Siaya.

Among the youthful aspirants who have declared interest in unseating Senator Oburu Oginga are Zacky Masiro and Nick Ongoro, both of whom are banking on voter fatigue with establishment politics and growing youth discontent.

The Siaya Senate seat has historically been occupied by political titans. James Orengo held the position for a decade before vacating it in 2022 to successfully run for governor.

Oburu, elder brother to the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, was handed a direct party ticket and went on to secure an easy win.

Since then, Oburu’s political stature has further risen. Following the death of Mr Odinga, Oburu assumed the role of ODM party leader, a development that has significantly reshaped political calculations within the county.

Whether Oburu, now in his 80s, will defend the seat in 2027 remains unclear. His decision is expected to have far-reaching implications, particularly for youthful aspirants hoping for an open contest.

However, the contest has taken a new turn, with former Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga, backed by a group of former Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), declaring his interest in contesting the Senate seat, injecting heavyweight experience into a race that had increasingly been framed as a generational contest.

"Things are not right in Siaya, and I will be meeting several people, including those people I worked with in the executive, as we chat a way forward," said Rasanga while welcoming the endorsement.

Political observers say Rasanga’s entry reintroduces establishment muscle into the race, potentially altering the narrative that youthful aspirants have been keen to push.

The road the youthful aspirants seek to travel, however, is not entirely new. In 2022, James Wamban and Oscar Omondi, other youthful contenders, vied for the Senate seat but failed to dent ODM’s dominance despite a spirited campaign.

The challenge facing the new aspirants, therefore, goes beyond mobilising youthful voters. It also involves navigating ODM’s nomination politics or risking political marginalisation in a county where party loyalty often determines electoral outcomes.

For now, Masiro has deliberately avoided declaring the political party he will run on, insisting that his focus is on the electorate rather than party machinery. While the stance resonates with voters weary of patronage-driven politics, it also carries risks in a region where ODM primaries frequently decide the eventual winner.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from Bondo sub-county and an alumnus of Maranda High School, Masiro has anchored his campaign on accountability and economic opportunity.

“As an audit and tax specialist, I will ensure accountability in the usage of public money. Siaya is losing a lot of money to ghost workers while thousands of our youths remain unemployed despite having gone to school,” he said.

By linking his professional background to the frustrations of educated but jobless youth, Masiro is positioning himself as both a fiscal watchdog and a generational voice, an approach that appears to be gaining traction in a county grappling with persistent unemployment.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Oburu’s political future, Masiro has not shied away from confronting the veteran senator.

On Rasanga’s entry into the race, Masiro was blunt, warning against recycling leaders.

“Recycling leaders who have already failed our people should not be allowed,” he said, framing the 2027 contest as a showdown between fresh energy and old-order politics.

Both Masiro and Ongoro have been increasingly visible in marketplaces, funerals, and public forums, methodically building grassroots networks.

Ongoro, 28, says his ambition is to make Siaya residents feel the tangible impact of the Senate seat for the first time since the advent of devolution.

“I bring youthful energy for proper representation of our county, uncompromised oversight, and legislation that benefits our country and future generations,” he said.

He argues that gaps in the incumbency have inspired his bid, insisting he is best placed to deliver meaningful change.

These developments come amid unconfirmed reports that Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo could also be eyeing the seat.

Political circles in Siaya are also abuzz with speculation that Jaoko Oburu, the senator’s son, could be weighing his options ahead of 2027, though no formal declaration has been made.

For now, the biggest unknown remains whether Oburu, now both senator and ODM party leader, will seek another term, a decision that could decisively shape Siaya’s political future ahead of the 2027 elections.