Big names line up for Speaker seat in Western amid lobbying

Members of Kakamega County Assembly debate the budget estimates proposed by the county executive in the county assembly chambers on June 23, 2021. [Mumo Munuve, Standard] The races for Vihiga and Kakamega counties Speaker positions have intensified as governors seek to have loyalists who will help them push their agenda. In Kakamega, the race has attracted immediate former Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, Dr Brian Lishenga who unsuccessfully vied for senator, former Speaker Morris Buluma, lawyers Leornard Shimaka and James Namatsi. Kakamega governor-elect Fernanades Barasa said MCAs were free to make the choice. "Let the MCAs elect the candidate of their choice," he said. Mr Kizito told The Standard that he would bring in experience having served as a committee chairman in the National Assembly and MP for two terms. "I'm the most senior contestant for the seat and a renowned ODM politician who has served the party, its deputy leader Wycliffe Oparanya and party leader Raila Odinga well and with dedication. I believe I will win," said Kizito. Dr Lishenga said while campaigning for the senate seat, he traversed the county's 60 wards. "This has made me identify the unique challenges the wards face and met with the majority of the MCAs who made it at the assembly. The bond will be an advantage given that most of them are from my party ODM just like Governor Barasa," he said. If elected, he promises to ensure MCAs and county assembly employees get new chambers. He said since the governor comes from the southern part of Kakamega and his deputy (Ayub Savula) from the north, he was a natural fit for the job as he hails from Kakamega central. In Vihiga, the coveted position has attracted five names. Majority of whom were candidates in the August 9 General Election. Word has it that Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance will be fronting Castro Lubanga or Winnie Majani for the position. Mr Lubanga contested the Hamisi parliamentary seat on the ODM ticket but lost to incumbent MP Charles Gimose of ANC while Majani, also of ODM was floored by Beatrice Adagala of ANC, in the woman rep race. Other names fronted are that of former Luanda MP Chris Omulele, Hillary Adolwa and the current Speaker Hasna Mudeizi. Omulele, who vied on an ODM ticket, lost his seat to Dick Maungu of DAP-K. Ms Mudeizi also vied in the ANC party primaries for the Sabatia seat but lost to Dr Emmanuel Ayodi. Poll losers Adolwa, who did not seek any elective seat, his termed his rivals election losers who want to reinvent themselves by seeking the speaker's seat. According to him, the speaker's seat should be left for technocrats who have the intention of ensuring quality legislative processes. "You look at all other aspirants for the speaker's seats save from me, they at one point or another sought seats in the August polls. I am the only one who showed genuine interest in leading the assembly," said Adolwa. As most of the aspirants are politicians, the race has turned into a regional contest. Vihiga has five constituencies and at least each, except Hamisi, has a county-level leadership representation. Emuhaya got the governor seat through Wilbur Ottichilo, while the deputy governor Wilberforce Kitiezo hails from Vihiga, Senator-elect Godfrey Osotsi hails from Luanda and the woman rep Beatrice Adagala comes from Sabatia. Four constituencies There is a rallying call for the speaker seat to be left for a resident of Hamisi constituency. "We want a united and well-represented county. The other four constituencies have at least a seat each. It's time Hamisi got the speaker seat when the assembly resumes," said Osotsi who won on an ODM ticket. Lubanga and Majani come from Hamisi, making them front runners if the ODM party will back them. "Yes I am lobbying for the seat. I have the interest of the Vihiga people at heart. I will safeguard the interests of MCAs if elected," said Lubanga. Mr Lubanga believes the position should be based on qualifications and merit but insists Hamisi residents need to feel they are represented. "We don't want to underrate our competitors from other regions but we have to look at the fact that Hamisi residents need to representation," said Lubanga. Some elected MCAs confirmed that lobbying for the third most powerful seat in the devolved unit was on course. "Its true lobbying is ongoing," said Patrick Akwale, MCA-elect for Wemilabi ward on an ODM ticket. Zakayo Manyasa of Mwibona ward said the seat should be left for the Azimio majority side. Vincent Atsiaya, the MCA elect for Wodanga ward on an ANC ticket, said the minority side will keep the ODM leadership led by governor Ottichilo under check. "We have a job in front of us. It includes keeping in check Ottichilo's administration to avoid the troubles that befell us in his first term," said Atsiaya.

Big names line up for Speaker seat in Western amid lobbying

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