Newcomers, youths dominate Kisii, Nyamira MP seats

Political newcomers and youth have swept parliamentary seats across Nyamira and Kisii counties.

The newbies include Japheth Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), Daniel Manduku (Nyaribari Masaba), Charles Onchoke (Bonchari), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) and Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu).

Youthful politicians Zaheer Jhanda and Anthony Kibagendi have bagged the Nyaribari Chache and Kitutu Chache South seats.

In Kitutu Chache North Nyakundi, 33, caused a major upset, ending Jimmy Angwenyi’s four-term reign.

Angwenyi, 77, was first elected to parliament in 1996 during a by-election following the death of Zachary Onyonka.

Nyakundi of UDA had 11,834 votes while Angwenyi, who is one of the longest-serving MPs in Kenya, garnered 8,260 votes. ODM’s Geoffrey Asanyo got 5,609 votes.

Nyakundi is an engineer and businessman.

In Bonchari, Onchoke of UPA was declared winner.

He garnered 13,854 votes against Jonah Onkendi of ODM, who got 10,661 votes while former MP Zebedeo Opore pulled 9,777 votes. 

In Kitutu Masaba constituency, Gisairo, 40, trounced 11 other opponents to win the seat.

Gisairo, a marketer in the petroleum sector, garnered 31,815 votes, incumbent Shadrack Mose had 14,525 while Edward Obwocha was third with 10,291 votes.

The University of Nairobi graduate attributed his win to his involvement in community projects, which include award-winning One Hen Campaign.

He thanked the people of Kitutu Masaba for overwhelmingly voting for him.

“Campaigns and the election have now ended. We should now focus on improving the lives of the people of Kitutu Masaba. My main focus will be on improving education standards, roads and electricity connection,” Gisairo said.

“To my worth competitors, some of them who have called to congratulate me, we should work together and harmonise our manifestos for the benefit of our people."

In Kitutu Chache South, Kibagendi of ODM trounced nine competitors to clinch the seat.

He garnered 14,478 votes, while Wiper’s Andrew Maubi got 10,378 and Eric Abuga of UPA was third with 4,131.

In Nyaribari Chache, Jhanda was headed for a major victory. Incumbent MP Richard Tong’i conceded defeat on Tuesday.

Former Kenya Ports Authority managing director Daniel Manduku of ODM clinched the Nyaribari Masaba seat while Obadiah Barongo, a newbie, bagged the Bomachoge Borabu seat, trouncing incumbent Zadoc Ogutu.

MPs Alfah Miruka of Bomachoge Chache and Innocent Obiri of Bobasi are the only ones who have been reelected in Kisii county.

In Nyamira only North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, who vied on the UDA ticket, retained his seat.

West Mugirango’s Vincent Kemosi and Kitutu Masaba’s Shadrack Mose were sent packing.

Kemosi lost to Jubilee Party’s Steve Mogaka.

Borabu MP Ben Momanyi ran for governor but he seems to have lost to incumbent Amos Nyaribo.

Tallying in South Mugirango was still going on by press time, with incumbent MP Sylvanus Osoro neck and neck with ODM’s Dennis Makori.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)