Vihiga County Minister for Water, Mr Onzere Mulongo, has not publicly declared his interest for the seat but his close allies say that he will be on the ballot.
By Faith Anene, Emuhaya
With the incumbent MP Omboko Milemba eyeing the Vihiga governorship seat, Emuhaya constituency is now in the throes of a political frenzy as potential successors throw their hats in the ring.
From seasoned grassroots leaders to rising professionals, the battle for the much coveted MP seat is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested race as the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins.
As political aspirants ready themselves for the fight ahead, the big question is: Who will rise to fill Milemba’s shoes and lead Emuhaya into its next chapter?
The top contenders are Paul Tirra Ananda, the Central Bunyore ward rep and serving his second term, Eng Asienga Ebole and political greenhorns led by Dr Zablon Okwoku, Eng Chris Ingutia, Eng Benjamin Isilia, and Vihiga County Minister of Water Meshack Onzere Mulongo.
A spot check by the County Splash established that the key issues the voters want the aspirants to address include improved healthcare, better infrastructure, education and access to clean and safe drinking water.
The candidates will also need to appeal to both traditional and emerging voter groups. As youth and educated voters make up an increasing portion of the electorate, how each candidate communicates their vision and policies will be crucial in swaying this demographic.
In an interview with Mr Tirra, the Central Bunyore MCA, he said that his development track record as a ward rep speaks for itself, saying “Emuhaya deserves a leader like me who has been tried and tested”.
“As an MCA, I have championed for the construction of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms in all the 19 primary schools in my ward and three health centres namely Esirulo, Ebukhaya and Essaba,” said Tirra
“The Emukunji Health Centre is undergoing a major upgrade, with the second phase of construction set to cost Sh6-8 million. In total, I am planning to establish four new health facilities in the region before becoming MP in 2027,” he added
According to the ward rep, retirees who are coming back home seeking to be ‘employed as an MP’ by the voters should be rejected given that “there is no tangible project they can be associated with to have brought to the constituency despite holding very influential positions in the society.
Dr Zablon Okwoku, commonly referred to as ‘Dangote’ by the locals for being generous with his money, is another front runner in the Emuhaya parliamentary race.
He is endearing himself to the voters through women empowerment initiatives like table banking, Ngarisha Mwanafunzi program that involves distribution of sanitary towels and uniforms to primary school pupils and fundraising activities.
“I offer a vision grounded in inclusivity, accountability, honesty, and sustainable development. As we approach 2027, I urge you to prioritise leadership that listens, delivers, and inspires,” said Dr Okwoku in an interview,” adding, “Together, we will build a constituency where every voice matters, every opportunity is seized, and every challenge is met with bold solutions,”
For Mr Onzere Mulongo, he has not publicly declared his interest for the seat but his close allies say that he will be on the ballot.
His name is well spread on the ground and the constituents perceive him as a perfect replacement of the outgoing MP by virtue of working under Governor Wilber Ottichilo, a former MP who put the constituency on the map in terms of development.
“The water projects you are seeing in the constituency has been initiated by Mr Mulongo when he was transferred to the water department from sports,” said Vivian Ayuma, a resident from Emuchula area, adding, “Emuhaya needs a leader like him who is practical in his actions,”
Eng Asienga Ebole who has had two unsuccessful stabs at the parliamentary seat in 2017 and 2022 but locals claim, after losing in the polls, he went mute, giving his competitors a field day.
The likes of Eng Isilia and Eng Ingutia are still trying to make a name for themselves in the constituency politics.
“Grassroots politics will undoubtedly play a significant role in the outcome of the race, especially given that Emuhaya is a constituency with a significant rural voter base,” said Isaiah Sikhuli, a political analyst from the constituency
He added: “The dynamics of the race are further complicated by the possibility of political alliances. Candidates might seek to form coalitions either before or after the primaries to consolidate their support base, especially in an environment where no single candidate is clearly dominant,”
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