As the clock ticks towards the August 2022 General Election, showdowns loom in some counties where big political shots are gearing up for fierce battles for the coveted gubernatorial seat.
While some county chiefs will be seeking to defend their seats, others are plotting to succeed retiring county bosses.
An analysis by the Kivumbi.co.ke looks at the 10 toughest gubernatorial contests where Seasoned, influential, and well-oiled bigwigs are scheming for fights of their lives for the coveted seats.
Kakamega County
With Wycliffe Oparanya finishing his two terms, Cleophas Malala and Fernandes Barasa are jostling to replace him as the Kakamega County boss.
Malala who is the current Kakamega Senator will be contesting on an Amani National Congress(ANC) ticket under the umbrella of the Kenya Kenya alliance by Deputy President William Ruto.
On the other hand, Barasa will be flying the ODM flag which is a member of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.Even though Kakamega is traditionally an ODM stronghold, it will not be easy to clinch the seat bearing in mind that Malala won the senatorial seat in the 2017 election on the ANC party.
In Kirinyaga County, the incumbent Ann Waiguru of the United Democratic Alliance party is facing stiff competition from County Woman Representative Purity Ngirici in her attempt to defend the seat.
Ngirici who will be running on an independent ticket was initially in the Deputy President William Ruto-led party UDA before bolting out after Waiguru joined it.
While decamping from the party, Ngirici blasted the deputy president accusing him of planning to rig her during the party primaries.
Even though Mt Kenya is considered a UDA stronghold, Ngirici a strong mobilize has proved that it will not be easy for Waiguru to defend her seat.
Nairobi County.
The move by Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition to settle on Polycarp Igathe as its Nairobi gubernatorial candidate has set up a nursing battle with Kenya Kwanza candidate Johnson Sakaja.
Even though both sides are opportunistic in winning the battle for the control of the capital, it will not be easy due to the dynamics of city politics.
The battle between presidential candidates of the two leading coalitions will greatly influence the outcome without forgetting the tribal voting trends.
Homa Bay County
The decision by former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to bolt out of ODM and contest as an independent candidate after the Raila-led party issued a direct ticket to Gladys Wanga has provided ODM with a headache in the pursuit to retain the governorship.
Both Kidero and Wanga are angling to succeed Cyprian Awiti who is finishing his two terms as the county chief.
Even though Homa Bay is an ODM zone, the moneyed ex-Nairobi governor is proving not to be a pushover.
Speaking in Homa Bay recently the ODM leader was forced to put up a spirited difference for Wanga’s candidacy calling on voters to vote six-piece.
Siaya County
Siaya county is the home of the ODM leader Raila Odinga but strangely it is among the counties where the toughest gubernatorial race is expected.
Veteran politician James Orengo who will be flying the ODM fly is facing a battle of his life from former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo.
Gumbo has recently teamed up with former police spokesman Charles Owino will be dying the United Democratic Movement party in their attempt to upset the ODM party.
Gumbo and Owino are campaigning on the platform of change, accusing the Siaya senator of having done nothing to uplift the lives of Siaya residents for the many years he has been in leadership.
Meru County
Kiraitu Murungi is facing strong competition from Meru senator Mithika Linturi in his attempt to retain his seat.
While Kiraitu will be flying the Development Empowerment Party dubbed MBUS under the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition, Linturi will be contesting on a UDA ticket.
At one time Deputy President William Ruto warned Kiraitu that he will be defeated by Linturi after he refused to join the popular side, the Kenya Kwanza alliance.
Initially, Kiraitu was expected to find it easy defending his seat after CS Peter Munya opted out of the race, but the UDA wave is proving problematic for Kiraitu.
Uasin Gishu County
The fifth-largest town in Kenya is witnessing one of its fiercest political battles in the race to succeed Jackson Mandago as the Uasin Gishu County boss.
Jonathan Bii who recently won the UDA nominations will be battling out with billion ear Bundotich Zedekiah Kiprop alias Buzeki.
Buzeki will be making his second attempt after he narrowly lost to Mandago in 2917 by garnering 148,121 votes compared to 193,606 votes.
Even though Buzeki will be running as an independent candidate he is expected to provide strong competition to the UDA wave just as he did in his first attempt.
Bomet County
The rivalry between Deputy President William Ruto and the Chama Cha Mashinani least Isaac Rutto is expected to shape the race of the Bomet gubernatorial contest.
The current Governor Hillary Barchok will be running on a UDA ticket while Isaac will be using his CCM party in an attempt to recapture the seat he lost in 2017.
To give a glimpse of what is expected, DP Ruto rally y was heavily disrupted by the supporters of Barchok and Rutto when the Kenya Kwanza held a public rally in the County.
Nakuru County.
In Nakuru County, the incumbent Lee Kinyanjui is facing a battle of his life from outspoken Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika in his attempt to defend his seat.
While Kihika will be flying the UDA flag, Kinyanjui has opted to defend his seat on. Jubilee party ticket even after initially indicating that he wi be vying a Ubuntu party ticket.
In Nakuru county, the popularity contest between Prsident Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto is expected to shape the outcome the gubernatorial contest.
Even though UDA is popular in the county, President Uhuru’s influence cannot be wished away.
Machakos County
In Machakos County, the supremacy battle between Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his former ally Johnstone Muthama is expected to play out.
While Wiper is fronting Wavinya Ndeti in the attempt to succeed Alfred Mutua, Muthama is also eying the same seat on a UDA ticket.
Even though Machakos is a Wiper stronghold, Ndeti has a lot of work to do to defeat Muthama, who is a former financier of the Wiper party.
