This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Joash Maangi, the Kisii deputy governor, has been struggling to maintain his grip on the region's politics since the 2022 general elections. His entry into Gusii politics through a new party was met with initial success, but disagreements with regional point man Joash Maangi and other frontrunners have caused a rift.
Maangi has been at odds with Ruto's former close ally, Ezekiel Machogu, who is keen on succeeding Governor James Ongwae. This has led to a number of elected and nominated MPs and MCAs to jump ship, leaving Maangi isolated.
Maangi's attempts to get the attention of Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i have been met with rejection. The CS has been avoiding Maangi due to his association with Ruto, and Maangi has been overheard saying 'omuntu oyo nigo atindete nechinguru', meaning 'this man is drunk with power.'
Maangi's critics argue that he is a politically spent force who has failed to utilize his golden opportunity by working with his boss, Governor Ongwae, who has joined Uhuru Kenyatta. From the deputy governor's Bomachoge clan, Ongwae has joined hands with the majority and minority leaders in the Kisii county assembly, Timothy Ogugu and James Ondari, where they have managed to implement several development projects.
Maangi's recent night meeting in Kisii, where he dismissed Sam Ongeri, Obure, and Manson as outdated leaders and Arati as a Nairobi political hooligan, has left him with few allies. The return of Machogu in the system has forced the political schemers to go back to the drawing board, with those who had proposed Senator Ongeri to succeed Ongwae with Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka being his running mate designate.
Onyonka's plan is to have the aged Ongeri win and inherit the seat in case something happens midterm. Being senile, even if in office for a full term, Onyonka as deputy will be the de facto governor.
Maangi's remaining lieutenants will be abandoning him one by one since the ground will not be all that welcoming. Arati's entrance has been received with mixed reactions in the county, with his camp saying he has the support from ODM leader Raila Odinga.
