Governors face tough challengers for county leadership

Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma and his deputy Ruth Odinga PIC BY COLLINS ODUOR

At least 31 aspirants are working to oust 10 governors raising the stakes in the battle for county leadership in Nyanza and Western.

Senators, MPS, parastatal chiefs, ex-MPs, trade unionists and businessmen are among those in the race.

Recently, governors Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) pleaded to be given direct ODM nominations so that they could take time to campaign for Raila Odinga in his presidential bid.

The request was rejected by party officials and other aspirants.

ODM Secretary General Ababu Namwamba said there would be no free rides on the ‘Orange train’.

The governors have now changed tack and are preparing for ‘war’, lining up sympathetic MCAs and friendly MPs to push their cause.

They have lined up a list of goodies for regions they see as their rival’s strongholds.

In Kisumu, Mr Ranguma is fending off stiff competition from Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o, Deputy Governor Ruth Odinga, businessman Hezron Macobewa and Asaka Nyangara.

“As governors from this region, we have had to face a lot of resistance and opposition from our own senators who should be supporting us,” said Ranguma.

He boasts of putting up over 100 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) class rooms and employing 700 ECDE teachers.

Prof Nyong’o has accused the governor of under-performance and mismanagement of public funds.

In Siaya, Senator James Orengo and Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo are seeking to oust Mr Rasanga.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae is confident of a second term. He says he has initiated several development projects.

“We have improved the health sector in the county. We are spending almost half of the budget on our health sector,” said Mr Ongwae.

Ongwae, who says he is among the first governors to provide ambulances in the counties, said he had allocated Sh225 million for bursaries for needy students in the 45 Wards.

“I have sunk over 45 boreholes across the county and 700kms of roads,” he said.

But his rivals, South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya and Senator Chris Obure, say he doesn’t deserve a second term.

“There are issues of corruption, clanism and mismanagement of funds. We need to be told how the county government has spent over Sh5 billion allocation from the national government every year,” said Mr Nyamweya.

In Kakamega, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya faces a stiff challenge from Senator Boni Khalwale who has allied himself with Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula.

A new entrant in the race for the Bungoma seat is Consumer Federation of Kenya’s Stephen Mutoro who wants to run on a Ford Kenya ticket.

In Migori, Okoth Obado has declared he is in ODM and will battle it out with former minister Ochilo Ayacko and Akong’o Oyugi among others.

Mr Obado said he spent almost a year defending his election in court, thus a second term will allow him complete started projects.

“I had a petition court case and my swearing in came a little later. The county has 40 wards and I have built at least one new road in every ward. I have also constructed bridges and improved on existing roads,” he said.

In Busia, Sospeter Ojaamong will fight it out with Funyula MP Paul Otuoma.

In Nyamira, Governor John Nyagarama is confident of re-election despite competition from former Kitutu Masaba MPs Walter Nyambati and Mwancha Okioma, Nairobi Lawyer Evans Misati, businessman Charles Mochama and former Kanu Treasurer Erneo Nyakiba.

“Maternal health has been my main agenda and I have seen hospital delivery rise from 50 per cent to 74 per cent. I have initiated value addition in agricultural and animal products,” said Mr Nyagarama.

In Homa Bay, Mr Awiti said he has improved security in rural markets and extended trading hours by installing solar energy lights in 300 trading centers.

Kabunde Airstrip is fully operational with six flights a week between Homa Bay and Nairobi by Fly 540 after the county government partnered with the Kenya Airports Authority to renovate it.

Reporting by Kevine Omollo, Scophine Otieno, Eric Abuga, Stanley Ongwae, Grace Wekesa and Olivia Odhiambo

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