Succession campaigns take shape in Trans Nzoia as CS Wamalwa joins race

The race for Trans Nzoia governor’s seat is shaping up, with the latest entrant being Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

Wamalwa’s political adviser Ronald Masindano announced that the CS is will gun for the seat, eliciting reactions from other aspirants, including Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa.

“I have been sent here by Waziri (Eugene) to condole with the family and tell you that he will be vying for the governor’s seat,” said Masindano during the burial of Mama Salome Milimo, mother of Cherangany politician Ben Milimo, recently. Chris however dismissed Eugene’s candidature and vowed to teach him a political lesson.

“Eugene is a coward. Why is it that when he sees me, he does not declare his candidature? Go and tell him that I’m going to deal with him squarely, vertically and perpendicularly,” said Chris.

So far, those who have expressed interest to succeed Governor Patrick Khaemba include two allies of Deputy President William Ruto, Maurice Bissau and Abraham Singoei.

Bussau and Dr Singoei serve at the DP’s office as adviser on infrastructural development and ICT, and legal adviser, respectively.

Also in the race is Woman Rep Janet Nangabo and businessman Moses Khaoya.

Nangabo has served for two terms and expects to use her political experience to beat her opponents.

At the funeral, Chris said the CS has not initiated any tangible development project in the county.

“He has been a minister for over 10 years but there is no tangible development project he has initiated,” he said.

But Eugene downplayed the accusation, saying the MP has run out of ideas and panicked about his entry in the race.

“I don’t responded to petty attacks on my personality but I can tell you that the man has panicked. He is confronting his perceived critics and he is going to lose terribly,” Eugene said.

Political analysts argue that Eugene’s entry is set to complicate the political equation for Dr Chris, the perceived front runner in the race.

“The CS is a political giant and the family name works in his advantage,” says analyst Dennis Wambalaba.