News Analysis By Ndira-Uradi In Kisumu City

WHAT is increasingly taking the center stage in the impending general election slated for next year is the battle for the four lucrative and powerful positions of the County governors under the new constitutional dispensation.

Those aspiring for the four positions of governor in the four counties, namely Migori,Siaya,Homa-Bay and Kisumu have already hit the ground.

The potential aspirants for the four seats have of late been seen criss crossing the full length and width of their respective counties while canvassing for votes, though the election is still twelve months away, an indication that the impending battle for the four slots within the county governance will be the toughest ever seen in this region.

And as the situation stands the battle for the control of the mineral rich Migori County is promising to be the most grueling he judging from the list of the individual personalities who have already shown keen interests in the seat.

Led by the administrative genius Kisumu Town Clerk Christopher Odhiambo Rusana who hails from Suna West location within Migori district, the race also involved other high profile political giants and heavyweights in the region it will also involved much experienced and seasoned politicians.

Rusana, however, has the best and most attractive track record couple with experience gained mostly in the in-service and numerous local; an overseas training in local government administration and management. He has served in the local authorities for close to sixteen years since coming out fresh from the University of Nairobi.

Rusana will face it off with one of the region’s political giant in the name of Prof.Edward Oyugi Akong’along time political associate and confidant of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. His unswerving loyalty to Jaramogi at one time landed him into detention camp and later into voluntary exile to a foreign country in Europe after his failure to secure back his teaching job at the University of Nairobi after upon his release out of the detention camp where he was detained together with another radical politician in the name of George Moseti Anyona, the former Kitutu Masaba MP.

Prof Oyugi Akong’o who also hail from the Osingo Group, but is a resident of Wasweta West in Suba West Division of Migori district like his credible rival Rusana.

The two will face formidable opposition from Sammy Onyango, a chief account with a private firm of accountants and auditing in Nairobi. Onyango hails from Otacho area of Central Sakwa within Awendo district.

Also in the race is the youthful, industrious and populist Eng.Mrk Nyamita who hails from Central Kanyamkago location Rapogi Division within Uriri district. Nyamita is a senior manager with the Airtel Kenya.

Also in the race and busy campaigning is the administrator of Ojele Hospital one of the most flourishing medical faculties in Migori Town Joseph Ngao Ojele. Ojele belonged to Karungu sub-clan of the Jokonyango group in Nyatike constituency.

Migori County is covering five parliamentary constituencies, namely Kuria, Migori, Nyatike, Uriri and Rongo. However, following he recommendation of the disbanded Andraw Ligale Interim Boundaries Commission, the region could see three more electoral constituencies following the sub-division of Kuria, Rongo and Migori constituencies.

The number of aspirants for the governorship could be swelling up in the next few months with the possibility of two new aspirants emerging from the Kuria community.

This an area which is minerals rich, and also full sugarcane and tobacco growing and longest shoreline of Lake Victoria making it rich in fishing an fish trade. Migori Town which is expected to be the headquarters of the new County is only about 20 kilometers from the common Kenya Tanzania borders making the area a fertile ground for intra trade between the two countries.

Migori has minerals such as gold, nickels and copper. Part of the region has the most fertile and arable for all kind of cash crops and domestic food grains.

Reports emerging our of the neighboring Homa-Bay County says a dagger is drawn between the three leading contenders who included the immediate former Rangwe MP Eng Phillip Okoth Okundi who hails from Kochia West in Rangwe, the former Country Director of Marie Stoppie Clinics Cyprian Otieno Awiti from East Karachuonyo in the North Rachuonyo district and an executive with the Microsoft International Computer firm Dr Mark Matunga from Mfangano Island in Mbita district.

Others in the race include Prof Joseph Akeyo Omolo from Wagwe in Central Karachuonyo.The incumbent Rangwe MP Martin Otieno Ogindo. Rumors is a wash in Homa-Bay and its environs that the former Kenya’s High Commissioner to India and Namibia and a one time Trade Assistant Minister Lazarus Ombaye Amayo might join the race for the same position within the county governance. But Amayo who hails from West Karachuoyo is a still a public servant and has yet to make his position clear over these claims and unconfirmed reports.

Homay-Bay County, perhaps the biggest run through six parliamentary constituencies, namely Mbita, Gwassi, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Karachuonyo an Kasipul-Kabondo.But there is the likelihood that the number of constituencies will be increased to seven with the sub-divisions which were recommended by the defunct Andraw Legale Boundaries Commission for the creation of two more new extra seats one for Homa-Bay and another on in Kasipul-Kabondo.

So far the cut-throat battle is expected to be between Cyprian Awiti and Dr Mark Matunga with Okundi likely to play the third position, perhaps owing to his advanced age. The popular saying is that the position of governor would be the most challenging and Okundi is considered too old and tired and need t take a leave from active politics. It will be a taxing one which requires energetic person ready to serve the public for long hours a day.

It will b an up-hill task for Prof Akeyo to beat Awiti within the vote reach two districts Rachuonyo.Akeyo the professor of mathematics at the Maseno University, however is credited for having handle the volatile Karachuonyo constituency CDF fund to the satisfaction of the electorate as its local CDF chairman responsible for disbursing millions of shillings to the needy socio-economic projects.

The arrival of Amayo for the same race, however, this political scenario would hurt Awiti chances more than anyone else, though the two Rachuonyo districts have registered more voters compared to four other constituencies so if the voting pattern could turn into clans, then a man from the two Rachuonyo districts will have his way through the polls.

Meanwhile another region where the battle for the governor position has elicited a lot of controversies is Kisumu County. Its area of jurisdiction include Nyakach ,Muhoroni, Nyando,Kisumu Town East,Kisumu Town West and Kisumu Rural parliamentary constituencies.

There will be one more extra parliamentary constituency as the result of the recommendation by the Legale Commission or readjustment and realignment of both Kisumu Rural and Kisumu Town West constituencies with the creation of a new Seme or Kombewa constituency or the residents of Seme locations and the Kisumu Town West which has created a new electoral area between the two existing constituencies laying west and north of Kisumu Town.

Those who have already declared their candidature to contest for the governor sea include the abrasive Sales and Marketing Director of Mumias Sugar Company Peter Hongo.He is an indignant man from the Jo-Kisumo group. He is said to be a head of the pack which included Ruth Adhiambo Odinga the sister of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is a sales executive with Odinga family business flagship Spectre International, which is managing the Kisumu Molasses plant, Jack Ranguma a former received manager of Muhoroni Sugar Company and the KRA, He hails from West Kano Kbura.And also in the race is Simon Ogendo an insurance executive in Nairobi who is also the son f the former Kisumu Mayor the late Ogendo Von Ponge. He hails from Kolwa Nyamasaria within the Kisumu Town East constituency. Others who are said to be eyeing for the governor position include the one time Minister for Water Development and Kisumu Town Clerk Ojwang’K’ómbudo. He hail from Lower Nyakach

The majority of he rsidents of the sugarcane and rice growing Kisumu County are I favor of the Mumias sugar man who they said as all what it takes to be the best qualification and reputation for the governor’s job. Hongo is poplar with youth and women.

Raila’ sister Ruth Adhiambo is treated as an outsider and being dismissed of being bullies and excessively arrogance to b consider or any elective position within the county governance.

O the Siaya side the ace for the County governor has yet to gain momentum, although the names of Joe Donde the former Gem MP and financial genius is frequently being mentioned as the most suitable person for the job. Other names include that of the immediate former Alego-Usonga MP Sammy Weya, and the Bondo MP and Finance Assistant Minister Dr Oburu Oginga.

Dr Odinga is a trained economist, and although rumors making the round sys he might also opt for the Siaya Senate representative seat. His performance as the MP for Bondo has elevated his personality, especially his handling of the devolving government funds including the CDF has made Oburu to score the highest marks among the current crops of Luo MPs. At the constituency level Dr Oginga has come out of his late father’s shadow and proved himself of a good leader.

Ends