By Hope Barbra

Buoyed by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) victories in the just-concluded three by-elections in Kasipul, Ugunja, and Magarini constituencies, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has declared she is ready to face off in a grueling battle with her opponents for the gubernatorial race.

Wanga also admitted there is a split in her government and promised to crack the whip on those who do not want to work but speak ill of her administration despite working for her.

Speaking at a funeral in Homa Bay, Wanga said she is adequately prepared to face her opponents for the gubernatorial seat in 2027, in what she termed a battle royale.

“Kom mar governor abedie higni apar. Kendo ng’ama obiro ni dwa dware odhi romo gin yar Wangaya ka. Athuon ka adhi kendo ka aduogo.”
(“I will serve my two terms as governor. Whoever wants to challenge me will meet the daughter of Wangaya. I am brave and not a coward,” she said.)

Wanga promised her opponents a battle of titans in the 2027 gubernatorial election, saying that even if she loses, the victor will appreciate her might.

“Wadwa lawore e dier pap kaye kweli. Ma be ka en wuoyi oloyo to bende owinjo ndi.”
(“It will be a fierce battle in the campaigns. If he is a man and he defeats me, it will not be a walk in the park,” she said.)

Wanga wondered why, despite her development projects, there was always a plot against women, yet a former governor who held the position and did not perform was never criticized or plotted against.

“Mine ocha malich, to chuo kata ka ne timo nono to onge ng’ama wuoye. Miyo kata tiyo to bura okinyi kod odichieng. Dhako ni oha kure ok owuog Homa Bay.”
(“Women are greatly downtrodden. Men, even when they fail, nobody plots against them. For women, meetings are held day and night. Some even ask if I am from Homa Bay, yet they know I’ve been married here for 25 years,” she said.)

Wanga is likely to face off with her deputy, Oyugi Magwanga, in the race, and the political marriage between them has collapsed. The late Raila Odinga prevailed upon Magwanga to become Wanga’s running mate in the last general election.

Magwanga now has his eyes set on the gubernatorial seat and did not support Wanga and ODM candidate Boyd Were in the Kasipul by-election. He instead supported Independent candidate Philip Aroko, who lost to Boyd.

Wanga admitted that some of the people she employed in her government were disloyal and said she will soon crack the whip.

“Nyocha amiyo jo Kanyada tich, to jo Kanyada ma dwaro tich ema nyalo tiyo.
Ng’ato ok nyal tiyo e sirkandi to owuoyo marach e wi sirkandi. Nikech sirkal manyo tek. Ne awuotho e piny ka malich ka asedo ka nyamarende kendo agonyo ma abarora ndasi.
Mondo eka abed governor ma Homa Bay.”
(“I employed people from Kanyada. Only those from Kanyada who want to work will work with me. Someone cannot work in your government and still speak ill of it. It was a big struggle for me to become governor,” she said.)

Wanga asked those unhappy with her administration to pack and go so she can bring in new people.

“To chieng’ ma owinjo ni sirkal rach ma ok onyal tiye, to ogwe tawo oweyo to ja-Kanyada machielo obed. Mano ekaka gini timore. Koso jo Kanyada orumo ma nyalo tiyo.”
(“If they are not happy with the government, let them resign so we bring in other Kanyada people who can work,” she said.)

Wanga said she will sack those who do not want to work in her government and stated she has adopted a new mentality.

“Omiyo an be koro awuok mager, adwaro pidho rasta sani. Ng’ama ok dwa tich inje. Ng’ama dwaro tiyo ne jopiny ndani. Ng’ama dwaro pesa ma ikawo here and there inje.
Ng’ama oyie ni nyalo tiyo ne jopiny kod misara michule cha ndani.”
(“I will no longer tolerate any insubordination. I have a new mentality now. If you want to work, good. If you don’t, you face the boot. I will not allow corruption in my government,” she said.)

The ODM national chairperson said she will no longer tolerate any misbehavior in her government and may request new officers.

“Mano e mbaka ma an adwa goyo koro. Kama achopie ni.
Ka anyisou ni miya uru joma oyie tich, utim kamano. Umiya joma oyie tich. Wati mondo water Homa Bay mbele.”
(“That is the stand I have taken now. If I ask you to give me new people willing to work, then do so. We must move Homa Bay forward,” she said.)

In the curtain raiser for the Homa Bay gubernatorial race, Wanga came out victorious, but she now has to face a combined force ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Anderson Ojwang’

The mountain roared and shook. Tremors and shockwaves rocked Murima. Tables turned—from chest-thumping to premium tears—a self-declared king of the mountain reduced to a humbled mountain cat.

That is how the political earthquake erupted in Mt Kenya, leaving beleaguered former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reeling from a shock defeat in the Mbeere North by-election, won by UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende.

And the narrative by Gachagua that President William Ruto would not succeed in dividing Mt Kenya, and that he was the ultimate voice of the region, came tumbling down after the loss.

With the by-election over, Mt Kenya has emerged as a battleground between Ruto and the united opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. If the results are anything to go by, the race for the vote-rich region will be hard fought and hard won.

Gachagua, who had pitched tent to campaign for DP candidate Newton Karish after withdrawing his DCP candidate, lost another highly billed duel with his successor Prof. Abraham Kithure Kindiki.

For Gachagua, the shock defeat was a reality check, sending him back to the drawing board. The assumption that he was the leader of the mountain was indeed a mirage, proving that the region is divided into two main political blocs.

Gachagua had dared President William Ruto to join the fray during the Mbeere North campaigns, but the President gave it a wide berth and instead enlisted his deputy to lead the contest.

“Wewe Kasongo kuja. Mimi niko area na watu wa Mbeere. Tuoneze we kivumbi sasa. Hapana tuma mfanyakazi. Wewe Kasongo kuja mwenyewe… Huyu Kasongo watu wa Mbeere wamekula pesa yake, amenyolewa?” Gachagua said.

For Kindiki, he delivered on his promise by slaying the mountain Goliath, staking his claim as the biblical David of Mt Kenya and as a political leader.

“Unakuja na kimbele mbele na kiherehere. Wewe wacha hizo bwana na uniachane na mimi. Wewe Goliath, umetesa watu siku mingi. Siku zako zimeisha—Alhamisi tunakumalizia. Fire si fire,” he said at a rally.

In the by-election, Kindiki deflated the self-declared leader of the mountain and claimed stake as the political leader of Murima, heightening a new wave of rivalry and tension in the region.

“Hii tabia ya kujitangaza yenyewe eti wewe ndiye mkubwa wa mlima—nani alikuchagua mkubwa wa mlima? I am the senior-most political leader in Mt Kenya region for the avoidance of doubt,” Kindiki said.

He taunted Gachagua as a small man, claiming he never saw him during the struggle for former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto at the ICC in The Hague.

“When Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto had a problem in The Hague, I was their lawyer. I didn’t see him there. We fought against the white man called Ocampo and defeated him. We brought home Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
So who is this other one speaking? He is a small man—it’s only that he has inflated his muscles and is troubleshooting.”

This election reaffirmed Kindiki’s first victory over Gachagua during the 2022 search for Ruto’s running mate.

He wrote on his X handle:
“Congratulations to the respective winners in yesterday’s by-elections… The winners now assume the crucial role of rallying communities to unite for the collective good and expedite development. Faya.”

CS Geoffrey Ruku said Kindiki would not be a one-term deputy president but would serve a second term and eventually become Kenya’s sixth president.

“2027 tunachagua President William Ruto na Kithure Kindiki… Na tukimaliza 2032, sisi kama mlima tutaungana na Kenya yote kuhakikisha Kindiki amekuwa rais. Tunaona mbali kama giraffe.”

For President Ruto, his brigades have delivered and passed the test against the united opposition, finally confining Gachagua to the political corner he had long desired.

The loss of the Mbeere North seat leaves Gachagua vulnerable, and the notion that he controls the Mt Kenya vote bloc has been debunked.

This gives Ruto a powerful impetus to seek at least 50 percent of Mt Kenya votes to win the 2027 elections.

By Anderson Ojwang

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) maintained its grip in its strongholds of Nyanza and the Coast, reclaiming three parliamentary seats—Kasipul, Ugunja, and Magarini—in Thursday’s by-elections, the first major political test in the post-Raila Odinga era.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga calmed internal storms within the party and humbled her opponents with a sweeping victory that left rivals stunned and disoriented. For Wanga, the wins in the parliamentary and civic by-elections were a cold, calculated revenge against adversaries both inside and outside the party who had attempted to undermine her political influence.

In Kasipul Constituency, Wanga—who is also the Homa Bay Governor—tightened her grip on the region and handed her opponents, including her deputy Oyugi Magwanga, a decisive blow. Ahead of the by-election, Magwanga had joined forces with former governors Dr. Evans Kidero and Okoth Obado, as well as UDA activist Odoyo Owidi, in a bid to defeat Wanga’s camp.

ODM candidate Boyd Were ultimately triumphed over independent candidate Philip Aroko, who was backed by the anti-Wanga coalition.

According to the IEBC’s X handle, “The Kasipul Constituency by-election Returning Officer Rebecca Abwaku declared Boyd Were of ODM the duly elected Member of the National Assembly after garnering 16,819 votes. Philip Nashon Aroko, an independent candidate, finished second with 8,475 votes. A total of 10 candidates had been cleared to contest in Kasipul.”

Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma, speaking at Agoro Sare after being attacked by goons, said: “Do not respond and attack them. Aroko has just lost this election.”
For Kaluma, the confrontation symbolized the struggle and sacrifice that ultimately delivered victory and forced their opponents back to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi wrote on his X platform: “Congratulations to Governor Gladys Wanga. You have confirmed to us that you are a true and reliable political partner.”

Wanga posted: “We witnessed the official announcement of the Kasipul Constituency parliamentary by-election results at Agoro Sare and celebrated the victory of our ODM candidate, Boyd Were. Congratulations on your win. Your determination and clear messaging led to this achievement, and you truly deserve it. Now it’s time to get to work for the people of Kasipul and all Kenyans.”

The victory is also symbolic for Wanga as it honours the memory of her slain ally and former MP Charles Ong’ondo Were.

ODM wrote on its X handle: “Congratulations to all our winners today—Hon. Boyd Were, Moses Omondi, Harry Kombe, and our MCA for Nanam Ward in Turkana West Constituency. We are proud of you.”

Recently confirmed as the ODM National Chairperson, Wanga—who supports the broad-based political arrangement with President William Ruto—has used these victories to send a clear signal to opponents within the party who oppose the collaboration.

Wanga leads the pro–broad-based team alongside Oburu Odinga, Opiyo Wandayi, John Mbadi, Sam Atandi, and Junet Mohammed. Their triumphs amount to a raw plate of revenge served to the anti-broad-based faction led by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who left Wanga to campaign alone.

However, Sifuna later posted: “Congratulations to the ODM team that delivered wins for Boyd Were in Kasipul, Moses Omondi in Ugunja, Harry Kombe in Magarini, and the MCA seat in Nanam Ward in Turkana West. Well done!”

For President Ruto, Wanga has now proven her ability to deliver votes, positioning herself as a dependable ally ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. She is likely to become one of the key pillars of his campaign team should the broad-based arrangement hold.

The results also highlight that in the post-Raila Odinga political landscape, ODM’s grassroots loyalty remains intact despite Raila’s recent demise in India in October.

The victories provide a much-needed morale boost to the new party leader, Oburu Odinga, signaling acceptance from the party base as he steps into a role previously held by his younger brother.

Oburu wrote: “Congratulations to our ODM candidates Moses Omondi, Boyd Were, and Harrison Kombe for your well-deserved by-election victories. Your wins show the trust and confidence the people have placed in your leadership and the party.”
Taking a brief break from the intense campaigns, he posted: “Feeling grateful for good health and high spirits. Taking a short sabbatical to recollect, recharge, and reset.”

From the Kasipul by-election, the message to the UDA fraternity is clear: the broad-based arrangement is bigger than individual interests—and those who resist may be swept aside.

With Raila’s passing, Ruto is now poised to rely heavily on Wanga and Oburu to deliver the Nyanza vote, a fact underscored by these latest victories.

By Anderson Ojwang’

It could be a new dawn for Bungoma residents after the electorate spoke at the ballot and altered the political terrain of the region.

For the first time in two decades, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula and his party Ford–K suffered a resounding home defeat at the Chwele-Kabuchai ward to his emerging rival George Natembeya.

Natembeya, the Trans Nzoia County Governor, inflicted a deep political wound on Wetang’ula in the battle over the control of Bungoma County politics.

It was the battle of the new kid on the block, DAP-K, through an independent candidate, against the ageing Simba, Ford-K, which has controlled the region’s politics for over two decades.

DAP-K wrote on its Facebook page: “Pale Kabuchai, mamba amezama katika mazingira yake (Kabuchai, the crocodile has drowned in its own environment). Even a crocodile can die in water, so trust me, bad days happen to everyone. Mamba kesha zalama (crocodile, sleep well).”

And the independent candidate, Erick Wekesa, defeated Ford-K’s Vincent Maunda to redefine the region’s politics and establish Natembeya as the possible new king of the jungle.

Wekesa, fronted by Natembeya, former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati and Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga, rewrote the politics of the region and left Wetang’ula in limbo.

The by-election was so important to Wetang’ula that he was on the ground to vote and ensure the results went according to his wish.

Wetang’ula wrote on his X handle:
“This morning I cast my vote at Namakhele Primary School during the Chwele-Kabuchai ward by-elections.
I urged our residents to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right without fear, assuring them that adequate security officers have been deployed across the area.
I also encouraged voters to remain vigilant and promptly report any unusual or suspicious activities to the authorities.”

How the victory was plotted and what it means for Wetang’ula

Natembeya led a team of politicians from the region who had fallen out with Wetang’ula and rallied behind Wekesa, who was popular in the area.

The plot involved making hard sacrifices and prevailing upon some candidates to withdraw in favor of Wekesa.

Wangamati recently said: “This vote is very important; it will save the whole of Bungoma County. That’s why I want you to vote for Erick Wekesa. Erick Wekesa is an independent candidate, one of two leading candidates.”

A week to the election, Natembeya had prevailed upon the DAP-K candidate Phanice Waswa to step down in favor of Erick.

Natembeya wrote on his X handle:
“DAP-K’s Phanice Waswa has today stepped down in favor of Erick Wekesa in the upcoming Chwele-Kabuchai ward by-election — a powerful show of unity and maturity in leadership.
We are proving that when leaders choose dialogue over division, the people win.
This is not just about a by-election; it’s about setting a new tone for our politics—one built on cooperation, strategy, and shared purpose. Together we are building a stronger front and shaping a future where unity delivers victory.”

How the victory was plotted and what it means for Wetang’ula

Wetang’ula had warned his political opponents that they risked serious consequences and that those who had defied him never succeeded in their pursuits.

The Speaker warned that anyone who goes against him risks losing their seat, giving examples of Wangamati, former Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, and former Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi. He told Majimbo that his fate would be no different.

He wrote on his Facebook page:
“This afternoon, in my capacity as the FORD–Kenya Party Leader, I joined the people of Chwele–Kabuchai Ward at Mukhweya Primary School Grounds for a campaign rally in support of our party’s candidate, Mr. Vincent Maunda, ahead of the upcoming November 27th by-elections.

I appealed for the support of our candidate while emphasizing the importance of electing a leader who understands the needs of the community and remains fully committed to driving development and strengthening effective representation.

Together with Bungoma Governor and Deputy Party Leader H.E. Kenneth Lusaka, Senator Wafula Wakoli, our Secretary-General Hon. John Chikati, and Members of the County Assembly led by Deputy Speaker Stephen Wamalwa, we called on the electorate to stay united and protect the political heritage of our great party.

As we move closer to this crucial democratic exercise, I urge Kabuchai residents to uphold peace, respect diverse political views, and make informed decisions that prioritize our shared aspirations for growth and prosperity.”

In response, Majimbo expressed deep disappointment with the Speaker, claiming he now fears for his life and that there is a plot to attack him, pointing fingers at the National Assembly Speaker.

Majimbo’s home was attacked by goons who vandalized property, leaving items valued at millions of shillings destroyed.

For Wetang’ula, the slip in his village ward by-election could spell doom for his Ford-K party and himself in Bungoma County politics — and that is why his Tawe Movement is roaring and rearing to go.

By Anderson Ojwang

From 6:00 a.m. today, all polling stations for the 22 by-elections—both parliamentary and Member of County Assembly—opened their doors.

And by 5:00 p.m. today, the examiners will call order to declare the end of the exams, and marking will commence immediately to ascertain the winners.

For President William Ruto, he has his eyes on Malava, Magarini, Mbeere North, Ugunja and Kasipul, where the broad-based candidates faced off with the United Opposition, and this could usher in a major realignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

President Ruto, who did not participate in the campaigns, had delegated the responsibility to his lieutenants and delivered to them all the resources they required for the exercise.

For the President, the message was simple and clear: you have what you need to deliver—go out and bring victory. Now the President is waiting for the results this evening.

President Ruto had delegated the tutorial roles to his deputy, Prof. Abraham Kithure Kindiki, to oversee the preparation of the Mbeere North student, Leonard Wamuthende, against rival Newton Karish of DP.

In Mbeere North, Kindiki staged a high-voltage campaign against his sworn and bitter rival, immediate former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

As the President’s deputy and main point man in the Mt. Kenya region, Kindiki must ensure his student passes the exams and retains the bragging rights for the Murima.

He had the duty to deconstruct the narrative that the restive Mt. Kenya region had slid away from Ruto, whom they supported in the 2022 presidential election.

Kindiki wrote on his X handle: “To the great people of Mbeere North, thank you for the hospitality and the audience that you accorded UDA candidate Leo Wamuthende throughout the campaign.
Ahead of the Thursday by-election, that declaration was cemented today as Leo made his final submissions at Gitiburi grounds. Asanteni sana Mbeere North.”

But DP party leader JB Muturi was also on the ground to supervise and give encouragement to his student, Karish, as he wrote the exams.

In one of the clips that went viral, Muturi was captured grabbing a youth.

He wrote on his X handle: “We have just left Siakago polling station, where voters are turning out with courage and clarity. I am here to ensure they are protected, respected, and allowed to exercise their democratic right without interference, intimidation, or unlawful conduct.
Mbeere has spoken before. Mbeere will speak again. And today the ballot will speak.”

In Malava Constituency, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula were leading the UDA candidate David Ndakwa against DAP-K’s Seth Panyako, fronted by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

President Ruto wants to consolidate the Western votes and hopes Wetang’ula and Mudavadi will lead in the pursuit.

Wetang’ula wrote on his X handle: “This morning I cast my vote at Namakhele Primary School during the Chwele-Kabuchai ward by-elections.
I urged our residents to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic right without fear, assuring them that adequate security officers have been deployed across the area.
I also encouraged voters to remain vigilant and promptly report any unusual or suspicious activities to the authorities.”

The ward and the Malava seats are a do-or-die for Wetang’ula and Mudavadi, and any slip would be politically costly and give Natembeya and his team from the Luhya community additional impetus to take charge of the community’s political dispensation heading into the 2027 general elections.

In Kasipul, President Ruto will be watching keenly whether the ODM national chairperson and also Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga still calls the shots in the region’s politics in the post-Raila political realignment.

Wanga is facing a combined force from her deputy Oyugi Magwanga, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, among others.

Wanga is fronting ODM candidate Boyd Were, son of the immediate former MP, the slain Charles Ongondo Were, against independent candidate Philip Aroko.

But Wanga’s key campaigner and ally, Homa Bay MP Opondo Kaluma, suffered the wrath of political violence when he went to observe the administration of the exams.

Wanga wrote on her X handle: “A powerful conclusion to a historic campaign. At Obisa grounds, we made our final stand for the future of Kasipul— a future built on tolerance, justice, and the non-negotiable priority of quality education. The choice is clear. On Thursday, let’s unite and make our voice heard for one leader with the resolve to deliver.”

IEBC urged the electorate to turn out and vote and wrote on its X handle: “To all voters in the 22 by-election areas, your participation matters. We encourage you to turn out in large numbers and peacefully exercise your democratic rights.”