Split a blessing for Ongwae as Nyagarama fights rivals

The race for the Kisii and Nyamira gubernatorial seats has gone a notch higher with an apparent split within the Jubilee Party and the entry of more aspirants.

The split in the Jubilee Party – exemplified in the parting of ways of two of its leading lights in Kisii County, Senator Chris Obure and deputy governor Joash Maangi, and the entry into the race of more aspirants – have given the incumbent James Ongwae a big advantage with the polls only six months away.

Also in the race to succeed Mr Ongwae is South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya, lawyer Lumumba Nyaberi and one-time politician Charles Maranga.

Things do not, however, look as rosy for Mr Ongwae’s counterpart in neighbouring Nyamira, John Nyagarama, who has to fend off opposition from within his own Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) on whose ticket his biggest challenger, James Gesami, plans to contest. Also eyeing the ODM ticket is another aspirant, Dr John Kumenda.

In Kisii, Mr Obure has emerged the favourite to win the Jubilee Party ticket but he also faces opposition from Mr Alfred Nyangweso besides Mr Maangi.

The pro-Obure camp has on numerous occasions stated that it will not subject the veteran politician to Jubilee primaries, a move opposed by Mr Maangi and Mr Nyangweso,

“We have to conduct the nominations, otherwise, how else can we be seen to be promoting democracy as a party?” asked Mr Nyangweso during a news conference at Kisii Sports Club when he launched his bid.

UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY

Mr Maangi, in an interview with the Nation, cautioned against the party handing a direct ticket to Mr Obure, saying such a move would undermine democracy and make Jubilee unpopular in the region, which largely voted for ODM during the 2013 election, sentiments which were supported by Mr Nyangweso.

“I was in URP in 2013 when Obure was the ODM pointsman. We welcome him to Jubilee and he should agree to face the electorate at the nomination stage,” said Mr Maangi.

By Saturday, Mr Maangi was still adamant that he will be on the ballot amid pressure that he steps down in favour of Mr Obure.

“I am in the race and I will not look back. Jubilee is now a strong party in this region, all we need is equality and sanity to beat our opponents. Let nobody say nominations will weaken the party,” he said.

Mr Obure has been on the receiving end from a section of the electorate, which is urging him to quit politics due to his advanced age.

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Obure moved to allay fears that he was pushing for a direct ticket because he feared losing during the nominations.

“There is no problem with nominations. I ask my opponents to go on campaigning and we solve it at the ballot,” he said, adding that he, too, believed in democracy.

Mr Ongwae, who so far faces no opposition within his ODM party, is banking on his development record and the party’s popularity in the region to successfully defend his seat.

EACH DAY

And in Nyamira, the list of contestants to face the incumbent, Mr Nyagarama, continues to balloon each day with the latest entrant being Dr Kumenda.

Mr Nyagarama’s closest rival in 2013, Mr Charles Mochama, who ran on a ticket of Kalembe Ndile’s The Independent Party, seeks to run on a Jubilee ticket this time round.

“I have been consulting with the people who are unhappy with the poor development record of the incumbent. This time, I will be more careful than I was in 2013 in order to win the race,” he said.

Mr Nyagarama is facing a litany of corruption allegations which have rocked his administration, giving his main challenger, Dr Gesami, an edge.

Dr Gesami also enjoys the support of ODM national treasurer Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Charles Geni (North Mugirango) and Woman Representative Alice Chae.

Mr Nyagarama’s deputy Amos Nyaribo has also announced that he will be challenging his boss in the polls.

Also in the governorship race are retired judge David Onyancha, Nairobi gynaecologist Dr Ereneo Nyakiba, Mr Evans Misati, Prof Vincent Nyatigo, former Kitutu Masaba MPs Mwancha Okioma (Ford-Kenya) and Walter Nyambati (Jubilee).

Mr Nyambati is, however, said to be shopping elsewhere.