Kisumu Gubernatorial Race: Will Professor Anyang' Nyong'o Unseat Jack Ranguma?
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Anyang' Nyong'o And Jack Ranguma |
It is prudent for you to know, before anything else, that this race will be a two-horse one. It is only a matter of time before the current deputy governor Ruth Odinga, World Food Program Country Yemen Director Dr Asaka Nyangara, Dr Hezron McObewa and others are consumed in the political heat that will hover around Kisumu in the coming months. The political heat will come in the form of boardroom deals, negotiated democracy, personal reevaluations, and downright intimidation (Western Kenya politics is arguably the dirtiest in the country).
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Nyong'o and Ranguma at a past event |
All the contenders in Kisumu are highly educated people. Professor Anyang' Nyong'o as the name suggests is an accomplished educator who cut his teeth in overseas universities. He still lectures at the University of Nairobi and has been a visiting professor in universities in Mexico and Addis Ababa before. He was also a Brundtland Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Jack Ranguma is also as learned as he has a Master of Science (International Accounting and Management Information Systems) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He had an accounting career spanning over 30 years before venturing into politics. He served as a commissioner in Kenya Revenue Authority. Education background will definitely not play a major part in this race.
One factor that will greatly influence the outcome is their home turfs. Kisumu voters, like other parts of the country, vote as a block. Ranguma comes from the vote rich Kano clan that comprises of Nyando, Muhoroni and Kisumu East. Nyong'o is of the Seme clan of Seme sub-county. The other clans, Kisumo and Nyakach will align themselves depending on each clan's proximity to the rivals. Kisumu Central will be a battleground as it is a cosmopolitan.
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Nyong'o during a vote drive in Seme |
Raila Odinga the defacto leader of Nyanza will be perhaps the greatest determinant of the polls outcome. This will especially be inflated should he decide to endorse a candidate. Sources close to his inner circle say he may decide to stay neutral until after party nominations.
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Anyang' Nyong'o is close to power |
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Nyong'o and his development record |
The choice of a running mate will be of key importance. Outsiders who vote in Kisumu will be keen to choose someone they feel will have them close to the heart. The two contestants will be doing political calculations on how to choose someone who will bring votes to the table. At the end of the day, ODM party may enforce a running mate on a contender like they did with Ruth Odinga.
Above everything, this is an exciting race that everyone across the country will be watching. But make no mistake, the governor of Kisumu will be chosen the date of Orange Democratic Movement nominations.
Also, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua Is Dead.
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