Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Simba Arati's announcement of his intent to contest for the Kisii county governorship in 2022 has reshaped the political landscape for the parliamentary seat, which is now attracting multiple high-profile contenders.
Elachi's Political Shift and ANC Challenges ¶
Former Nairobi county speaker Beatrice Elachi, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2017 on a Jubilee ticket, is reportedly aligning with Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC) for the 2022 elections. Sources suggest her move follows a recent appointment as cabinet administrative secretary, potentially brokered by Mudavadi. Elachi, a multilingual politician fluent in Kikuyu, Luhya, and Kisii, aims to capitalize on the Luhya community's influence in Kawangware, a key ward in the constituency.
Shilibwa's Financial Troubles and Political Isolation ¶
Businessman Bernard Shilibwa, who faced scrutiny for alleged dealings involving Uhuru Kenyatta's nephew Jomo Gecaga, is navigating financial blacklisting by state security agencies. His political ties have weakened, particularly with Mudavadi, who previously backed him in 2017. Shilibwa's campaign has reportedly stalled since Gecaga's removal from state duties.
Contesting the Parliamentary Seat ¶
The constituency, comprising four wards with a total of 147,214 registered voters, is expected to see a fragmented race. Arati, who won the 2017 election with 48,349 votes, is positioning himself to challenge Kisii Governor James Ongwae. Other aspirants include Transport chief Chris Obure, Senator Sam Ongeri, and MPs Richard Onyonka and Ezekiel Machogu, who have all expressed interest in the county leadership role.
Historical Context and Electoral Dynamics ¶
In 2013, Arati secured 43,000 votes against Simon Muigai's 25,000. The 2017 race narrowed to Arati versus Elachi, with the latter receiving 33,425 votes. Elachi, then a TNA senator, was later sidelined by Mudavadi's ANC, which now faces internal competition as Shilibwa's viability wanes.
