Waiguru vs Kidero, Waititu vs Kabogo, Omar Hassan vs Hassan Joho and 5 Other County Battles That Will Define 2017 Elections

Last weekend saw former devolution cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru attend a meeting before going to Komarock to attend a service. Usually this would not have made headlines had the two occasions not be filled with political undertones that saw her stop short of declaring an interest in the Nairobi governorship come next elections.

Well, it is the electioneering season and interests abound. However, it is the emergence of Governor seats as the ultimate political prize that will shape much of the next elections campaigns and voting. The money and influence from the position has seen senators and other individuals already declare interest to be the next governors. However, more than anywhere else, the following 8 counties promise to see epic battles as they pit candidates with money and clout promising quite a tight race.

Nairobi County

This is the battle to control the nation’s capital and one of the counties with the highest revenue collection as well as budgetary allocation. It is also am major bragging rights for whichever political party hence its importance. The potential battle pits the incumbent Evans Kidero, Mbuvi Sonko , Margaret Wanjiru and potentially Anne Waiguru. Both are candidates with seemingly endless pockets, connections and quite a tight loyal following even with Waiguru being a newcomer to elective posts, her connections and resource mobilizing potential cannot be written off.

Mombasa County

The nation’s entry point and second biggest city has more influence quite due to the duties, mineral and its position in the region’s trade affairs. Given that this is an apparent ODM Zone, the real fight appears to be between the incumbent senator and governor Omar Hassan and Ali Hassan Joho. They both are diehard Raila allies with important positions in the party. They are from wealthy families and an appeal thus the promise of a tricky affair that even the ODM hierarchy would want to avoid a potential showdown though one seems inevitable.

Kisumu County

The moment Anyang’ Nyong’o expressed interest in the seat, current governor Jack Ranguma new it was going to be an uphill task defending the seat. Yet he has had the time to build a campaign machine and he is certainly no push over making it quite a race to look forward to as whoever wins the ODM nomination basically carries the day.

Kiambu County

One of the richest counties in the country as well as the supplier of much of Nairobi’s food needs. The candidates here are as streetwise and scruffy as you would get anywhere and do not mind getting into a fight. Kabete Mp Ferdinand Waititu is the only MP harboring gubernatorial dreams and he will sure prove a match to the incumbent William Kabogo. Expect all manners of fireworks as well as drama in this one. Should they compete for the same party ticket, the battle may well be over before the main election with the winner the de facto governor elect.

Machakos County

Everyone thought the current governor Mutua, had this one done and dusted way before the electioneering period despite the infighting. Well that was before reports emerged that Mike Sonko could consider vying for the seat should Nairobi prove to be quite a complex choice. The climate in Kamba land and the likelihood of party swapping make this one of the seats to watch out for and a potentially decisive battle.

Meru County

If you had forgotten about Kiraitu Murungi then you understand why he is seeking the governorship position.  The bus driver seems wary of the rise of Munya and given the prominence his position has given him in Meru politics. This is also going to be a close race and pretty interesting given the style of politics of the two and the way Meru politics has a way of being totally independent of the rest of the nation while still impacting on it.

Kakamega  County

The noise of Bonny Khalwale against the calm and planning nature of Wycliffe Oparanya has seen the stakes rise in the second most populous county in the nation. They both command sections of fanatic followers and they will also have to rely on the sway of parliamentary and MCA contestants in their sides. Any other entrant is likely to be an outsider leaving the ground for these two who are both competent campaigners with enough foot soldiers on the ground.

Siaya

Cornel Rasanga is quiet a worried man and with good reason. Should the Siaya Senator keep good his promise of vying for the governorship come next general election then he may as well forfeit vying. This is not to say he is without clout or tact but the Nyanza vote has a way of always favoring Raila’s closest ally in this case James Orengo.