Scramble for county posts in Siaya starts in earnest ahead of 2022

As the clock ticks towards the 2022 elections, jostling for various positions by the six subcounties of Siaya has started in earnest. 

The deputy governor's position (running mate) is emerging as the most sought after.

It is also a hard nut to crack for key governor aspirants since it requires a delicate balance and political acumen.

Siaya has Gem, Bondo, Ugunja, Ugenya, Alego-Usonga and Rarieda subcounties, which double as constituencies.

Other key county positions up for grabs include the Senate, woman representative, speaker and county cabinet posts.

Since the onset of devolution, the six subcounties have been sharing these slots based on their numeral strength, which gives them strong bargaining power at the negotiating table.

The slots are also shared out on a rotational basis. This distribution arrangement was deployed in the 2013 and 2017 general elections.

The regions agreed on a sharing formula before the candidates faced the polls.

Alego-Usonga, with the highest registered number of voters—according to the 2017 IEBC data—got the governor position through Cornel Rasanga.

Bondo got the deputy governor's slot, while Rarieda received the speaker's position that went to George Okode.

Deputy governors came from Bondo and are Ouma Onyango (first term of Rasanga) and James Okumbe (second and final term).

The greater Ugenya, which includes Ugunja, got the Senate seat held by Senator James Orengo, while Gem landed the woman rep position held by Christine Ombaka.

In the last general election, Ugenya had 57,603 voters, Ugunja 50,487, Alego-Usonga 103,334, Gem 80,472, Bondo 90,278, while Rarieda registered 75,779.

This time round, Gem is seeking the deputy governor's slot.

Professionals and opinion leaders from the constituency have been vocal, pushing to have the post.

The constituency also wants whoever becomes the next Siaya governor to give Gem three key county cabinet seats — finance, health and agriculture.

Leading these calls is Kisumu city manager Abala Wanga, who is from South Gem ward.

Last month, when he hosted former police spokesman Charles Owino for a fundraiser at Uriri church in the ward, Wanga said gem should get the deputy governor's post.

This paid off after Owino, who is seeking to replace Rasanga, pledged to pick his deputy from the constituency.

"I will pick a running mate from Gem. However, that person must be a woman qualified to head agriculture, education or health docket because I don't want an idle deputy," Owino said.

Gem is seen as a swing vote bloc but some say it has not been given due consideration in the sharing of county slots. Leaders from the area argue that the position of woman rep is not representative enough.

"Any aspirant for the position of governor must agree to give us the running mate position. We also want three key county cabinet slots. It is non-negotiable," Abala said on Tuesday.

He said Gem has since 2013 gotten a raw deal and must reclaim its rightful position in the county matrix.

"We are not going to escort other subcounties this time," he said.

Those who have declared interest in the Siaya gubernatorial race so far include Senator Orengo, Owino, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo, and Deputy Governor Okumbe.

EALA legislator Oburu Oginga from Bondo is interested in the Senate seat.

Oburu initially appeared to team up with Orengo, showing up with him at most public events but soon beat a hasty retreat.

Negotiations to distribute seats are likely to disadvantage Okumbe, who is also from Bondo where the Senate seat might go.

Rarieda has Okode, who is said to be keen to retain his position as the speaker for the third time.

His other options are a deputy governor or county secretary.

Alego-Usonga, which has produced the governor twice, is angling for the deputy governor's slot.

A few names have been floated in, with immediate Nyanza KMPDU chairman Dr Kevin Osuri being proposed to the aspirants for consideration from the constituency.

Edited by EKibii