Seasoned, wealthy politicians face off in Senate contest

By Stephen Makabila and Jacob Ngetich

With most seasoned politicians and ministers opting for the Senate race, the contest for the coveted upper House will be the toughest in several counties.

After the March 4 polls, winners of Senate seats will constitute the country’s second Senate in 46 years, in a bi-cameral house system.

Last year, Speaker Kenneth Marende led the swearing-in of Jeremiah Makokha Nyegenye as the Senate Clerk.

Among some the ministers nominated to run for Senate are Henry Kosgey (Nandi), James Orengo (Siaya), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Samuel Poghisio (West-Pokot), Moses Wetangula (Bungoma), Matula Kilonzo (Makueni), Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu), Naomi Shaban (Taita-Taveta), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru), Otieno Kajwang’ (Homa Bay), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), and David Musila (Kitui).

Others are Ali Chirau Mwakwere (Kwale), Yusuf Haji (Garissa), Sam Ongeri and Chris Obure in Kisii.

Secured tickets

Former ministers angling for the same and who have already secured nomination include Mukhisa Kituyi, Musikari Kombo, Cyrus Jirongo, Njeru Ndwiga, Kivutha Kibwana, Kipruto Kirwa and Chris Murungaru among others.

Political analysts say seasoned politicians are attracted to the Senate because it looks more prestigious, but Parliament still holds more powers.

 Head of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Nairobi Adams Oloo, says roles of the two Houses are well defined, and that while Parliament will deal with national issues, senators will deal with county government issues and impeachment of a president, which has to originate from Parliament.

The Senate is empowered to represent the interests of the counties and their governments. It also determines allocation of national revenue among counties, and has powers of impeachment over President and Vice-President.

House composition

The new Senate will be made up of one person elected from each of the 47 counties, as well as 21 nominated members, including at least 16 women; two members representing young people – a woman and a man; two members representing people with disabilities – again a woman and a man; and a speaker.

The 47 representatives of the counties are elected members and can be men or women, while their parties pick the nominated members.

Political pundits point out that some of the ministers nominated to contest the senate may have an easy ride, among them Orengo, Kosgey and Mutula given political arithmetic’s on the ground, their experience and party choices that seem to favour them.

“While in a place like Siaya, Orengo may have no opposition, in Nandi Kosgey’s political experience and resources give him a head-start despite him being on an ODM ticket where some perceive to be a URP stronghold,” says lawyer Titus Bittok.

But tough contests are expected in areas like Meru where Kiraitu, the Energy minister, faces immediate former Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara, in Bungoma where Trade minister Moses Wetangula battles Kituyi and in Kakamega where a bruising battle is expected between Bonny Khalwale and Jirongo. “Jirongo’s move to CORD boosts his appeal, as it is the most popular alliance. Jirongo as a political brawler is remembered for standing up to the 2007 ODM wave and surviving,” said his spokesperson John Nyongesa.

Other senatorial battlegrounds include Nairobi where Assistant Minister Margaret Wanjiru faces former Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi Sonko and in Kwale where Mwakwere faces Juma Boy Juma.

The Nairobi contest is of keen interest given its the administrative and commercial capital, and the largest county with 17 constituencies. The race could boil down to a contest between CORD and Jubilee in their efforts to control city politics.

In Garissa County, Haji will battle it out with out-going Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim while the battle for the control of Kisii between Ongeri and Obure will also be explosive. While Ongeri is the point man of the Jubilee coalition in Gusii land, Obure heads the CORD brigade in the region, where ODM is the most preferred party.

Battle royale

In West Pokot, it will be battle royale between Poghisio, the Information minister and John Lonyangapuo, the first professor from the Pokot community with an illustrious academic and development record.

While Ngilu will have her match in Musila for the Kitui County senator, former co-operative Minister Ndwiga has a date with Kivuti for the Embu County senate seat.

The Kitui battle between Ngilu and Musila could also be the boiling point of the Jubilee and CORD alliances showdown in lower Eastern.

The two leading coalitions are out to out-do each other in the chase for close to a million votes from the region in the presidential race, which bids CORD’s Raila Odinga and Uhuru as front runners.