This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
West Mugirango constituency, known for electing opposition members of parliament since 1992, is gearing up for the 2022 general elections. The constituency has a history of producing leaders who played key roles in Kenya's second liberation.
Among the notable leaders from West Mugirango are the late George Anyona and Onyancha Obwocha, who were known for their fiery politics.
Currently, West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi Mogaka, elected on a Ford Kenya ticket, is facing a tough re-election bid. His opponents have vowed to use all tricks and resources to block him from being re-elected for a second term.
Investigations have established that some aspirants have resorted to using goons and boda boda riders to heckle Kemosi during functions, making him look scared and irrelevant to the current politics in the area.
For instance, during Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's visit to the constituency two months ago, an aspirant organised goons and boda bodas who heckled the MP before the minister.
Similar scenarios have been extended to funeral forums, where aspirants hire goons to disrupt the legislators' speeches or use burial organisers to block Kemosi from addressing the mourners.
The aspirants have also used church leaders to deny Kemosi the chance to speak in functions, citing a recent burial ceremony at Bomabacho village during the burial of Nyamira County Executive Committee member Bernard Osumo's mother.
Clan politics plays a significant role in West Mugirango constituency, with three major clans - Abasamaro, Abagichora, and Abanyamatuta - being crucial in determining who should be elected as a member of parliament.
