By Team
Businessman Hillary Alila has emerged as one of the top candidates for the vacant post of Deputy Governor for Homa Bay.
Alila contested for the Homa Bay senatorial seat in 2013 against former Cabinet Minister, the late Otieno Kajwang.
Alila, a darling of the youth and women, was widely acceptable in all the seven sub-counties for his kindness, calm and non-violent nature.
Currently, Alila looks a viable candidate for the vacant deputy governor seat by virtue that he hails from Ndhiwa Constituency, a vote-rich area basking with 100,000 registered voters.
Similarly, Alila’s appointment would aid Governor Gladys Wanga’s arithmetic for the 2027 general election if Alila delivers most of the votes.
Already, Alila has been under pressure from his supporters to contest for the Homa Bay senatorial seat in the 2027 general election.
Alila downplayed the development, saying in politics anything can happen and he would take the seat if the governor shows faith and trust in him.
“If the Governor finds in her wisdom to appoint me to the seat, why not? I have a dream to serve our people in whatever capacity,” he said.
The seat fell vacant after the deputy, Joseph Oyugi Magwanga, resigned after he termed it as irreconcilable differences with Wanga.
The former ODM leader, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, midwifed the Wanga-Magwanga ticket for the gubernatorial contest and defeated former Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero in the 2022 general election.
Magwanga has declared his candidature for the seat and has embarked on town hall meetings to endear himself to the electorate.
Raila is banking on the larger Rachuonyo, consisting of Kasipul, Kabondo Kasipul and Karachuonyo, to boost his bid in the 2027 elections.
Also in the race for consideration for the vacant seat are CEC Finance Mr Salomon Obiero, a close confidant of the governor. Others are CEC Elijah Munga, CEC Denish Onyango, Speaker Okombo and former Nyanza PMO Prof Richard Muga.
Obiero comes from Kibiri Ward in Karachuonyo and has been engaged in various activities and has in the recent past accompanied the governor in her functions.
Obiero and Munga are expected to checkmate Magwanga in the vote-rich Karachuonyo and are expected to lead her re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Onyango and Muga from Kasipul are also expected to checkmate Magwanga in the two constituencies and will lead Wanga’s campaign in the area.
