Dozens eye Onyonka’s Kitutu Chache seat 2022 – Weekly Citizen

The race search for the next MP for Kitutu Chache South following the declaration by the present holder Richard Onyonka that he will be going for the coveted gubernatorial seat, has attracted eight candidates with former Kisii deputy mayor Pius Abuki being the latest entrant.

Richard Onyonka

Onyonka who is serving his third term in parliament having been elected in three different political parties PDP, ODM and Ford-Kenya is credited to have improved infrastructure in learning institutions some of which have benefited from buses since he was first elected in 2007. Abuki hails from the populous Nyabururu/Nyankongo region which has been boosting Onyonka’s election chances even when he was crippled financially. Kitutu Chache South boasts of such clans like Bogeka, Bogusero, Bomatara, Bonyagatanyi, Bochura, Mwamosioma and Bouti with political networking, financial handouts and political hooliganism being the major determinant factor for one to win an election.

Samuel Omwando

Others who are keen to succeed Onyonka are former Kisii mayor Samuel Omwando, businessman Don Bosco Gichana, Leo Obweri Matundura, Antony Kibagendi, Andrew Maubi and former Gusii county council chairman James Ogutu. Gichana’s tainted past that includes unstable marriage and questionable source of his wealth is costing him on the ground. Gichana is also associated with deputy president William Ruto, a man said to out to frustrate powerful CS Fred Matiang’i in the corridors of power. Unlike the other candidates who rarely dine with Onyonka and to some extent, lend support to Governor James Ongwae who hails from the area, Abuki stands good chances having a good relationship with the two leaders who have made history in their political careers.

Antony Kibagendi

Onyonka who had warmed up to succeed his father the late Zachary Onyonka who died in 1996 was trounced by current Kitutu Chache North MP Jimmy Angwenyi before the subdivision of Kitutu Chache constituency after his father the former powerful cabinet minister had ruled for 27 years. The late Onyonka who trounced pioneer area MP Lawrence Sagini, during the 1969 general election kept at bay the aging Angwenyi, and other notable opponents John Bosco Mboga, Nicholas Siro, among others whom he dismissed as jokers maintaining that they would inherit the seat when he was dead. A miracle was to happen during the 2007 general election when Onyonka junior trounced governor James Ongwae of ODM and Kitutu Chache North MP, Angwenyi of Kanu leading to a stampede at Marani tallying centre where one person was shot dead, and Angwenyi was subsequently arrested and charged with the offense.

Don Bosco Gichana

The incident was a replica of the 1983 snap elections where Mboga who as the former treasurer of Knut came face to face with the late Onyonka with the crowd turning hostile where the minister for Economic Planning allegedly shot death one Ouru Ndege and he was to be arrested where he was declared the winner while in prison. However, given his historical background, Onyonka might make surprise about-turns at the eleventh hour to defend the seat and true o the BBI arrangements where cabinet secretaries will be elected from among the MPs in the national assembly, he will lobby to rise to the position and possibly support a candidate of his choice to succeed him.