More than 20 governors who were elected in 2013 but failed to retain their seats in the 2017 polls were seeking to recapture their seats in the just-ended General Election.
However, more than 14 former county chiefs failed to make a political comeback in the just-ended August 9, General Election.
Only seven out of the more than 20 former governors who lost in the 2017 polls have made a political comeback after being in political cold for half a decade.
Kivumbi.co.ke has compiled a list of the governors who made a political comeback
- Ken Lusaka
Senate Speaker Ken Makelo Lusaka made a political comeback to the helm of Bungoma County in the Tuesday, August 9, elections.
Lusaka was first elected governor of Bungoma in the 2013 General Election but failed to retain his seat in the 2017 polls.
However, Lusaka trounced his bitter rival Wycliffe Wangamati who was defending his seat on a DAP-K ticket.
Lusaka, who was seeking to recapture his seat on a Ford Kenya party ticket polled 241, 695 votes against Wangamati who scored 137,378 votes.
“I accept with humility the confidence the people of Bungoma have demonstrated in me by electing me as their governor,” Lusaka said in his acceptance speech on Friday.
- Nathif Jama
Garrisa-elect governor Nathif Jama has also made a political comeback after being in political cold for five years.
Jama who was seeking to recapture his seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket dethroned Jubilee’s Ali Korane in the Tuesday, August 9, General Election.
Jama was first elected Garrisa Governor in 2013 but lost to Korane in 2017.
- Simon Kachapin
It was an act of sweet revenge for immediate Sports Chief Administrative Secretary Simon Kachapin who served as West Pokot Governor between 2013 and 2017.
Kachapin who was running on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lost to John Lunyangapuo in 2017 but has since made a comeback.
“I thank all West Pokot people for giving me this chance to serve them. May God grant you his favor,” said Kachapin.
- Benjamin Cheboi
Former Baringo governor Benjamin Cheboi has made a political come.
Cheboi, who has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) defeated incumbent Stanley Kiptis.
Cheboi, won the gubernatorial seat in 2013 but failed to defend his seat in 2017.
- Julius Malombe
Former Kitui Governor Julius Malombe also recaptured the seat he lost in the 2017 election.
According to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) verified results, Malombe polled 198,004 votes against his competitor David Musila who garnered 117,606 votes.
It was easy for Malombe to recapture his seat after his main rival Charity Ngilu dropped out of the race to focus on national politics.
Others who bounced back to the helm of the county leadership include Abdullahi Jiir as well as former Lamu governor Issa Timamy.
