No, thank you! Voters humiliate retiring governors seeking elective seats

Kenyans went to the polls last Tuesday, August 9 to vote for their leaders ranging from Members of County Assembly, County Woman Reps., MPs, Senators, governors and president.

By virtue of the Constitutional two-term limit, some governors and President Uhuru Kenyatta were not eligible to defend their seat.

And although the president is completely hanging his political boots, retiring governors are eligible to seek for other elective positions.

Six retiring governors vied for senatorial and MP seats in this election, but only one - outgoing Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandagor - was successful and got elected to the Senate.

Kivutha Kibwana

After serving for two terms as Makueni governor, Prof. Kivutha Kibwana opted to vie for the county's senatorial seat.

Prof. Kibwana argued that with the 10-year experience as governor, he knew best how to fix devolution to a level of 100% efficient. He intended to use the senatorial position to legislate on bills that would achieve this.

He would be excused for thinking that he had a shot in becoming a senator because Makueni people and different research firm had ranked Prof. Kibwana among the best performing county chiefs.

However, Prof. Kibwana was trounced by Dan Maanzo, his former student at the University of Nairobi.

The Wiper Party wave that has swept Ukambani region in this election is partly to blame for this. Maanzo, the outgoing Makueni MP, ran on a Wiper ticket.

Alex Tolgos

Retiring Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Alex Tolgos also met Prof. Kibwana's fate.

After 10 years as a county boss, Tolgos felt that his experience in matters devolution will be needed at the Senate.

And so he sought to unseat the outspoken Senator Kipchumba Murkomen on a Jubilee Party ticket.

He was also campaigning for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential candidate in a region that is one of the strongholds of William Ruto, another candidate seeking the country's top seat.

Elgeyo Marakwet electorate voted majorly for Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidates in all the positions.

Sospeter Ojaamong

Outgoing Busia Couty Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, on the other hand was seeking to stay active in politics by representing the people of Teso South Constituency as their MP.

Just like other governors, Ojaamong has been accused of misappropriating public funds. A case in which he is accused of abuse of office and engaging in a KSh8 million project without proper planning is still active.

But not even the coveted ODM Party ticket could save Ojaamong. He came third in a race won by UDA's Mary Emase who polled 18,059 votes. Incumbent MP Geoffrey Omuse came second with 16,423 votes while Ojaamong got 11,165 votes.

Martin Wambora

Outgoing Embu Governor Martin Wambora once bragged of having the proverbial nine lives of a cat, but not this time round.

He emerged fifth with only 13,523 votes in a senatorial race won by Democratic Party's Alexander Munyi Mundigi who got 81,162 votes.

Wambora's 10-year at the helm of Embu County was marred by allegations of corruption. Twice was he impeached, and twice did the courts saved him.

Samuel Ole Tunai

Like Prof. Kibwana, outgoing Narok Governor Samuel Ole Tunai also wanted to extend his stay in elective politics by vying for the county's senatorial seat on a UDA Party ticket.

Tunai was trounced by incumbent senator, ODM Party's Ledama Olekina.