Kisii County’s political landscape is undergoing a significant shift, setting the stage for a high-stakes gubernatorial contest that could redefine leadership in the region. The decision by Richard Onyonka to enter the race is more than a routine candidacy—it is a calculated political move that signals an intensifying battle for control of the county. Speaking exclusively to Kahawa Tungu on Wednesday, Onyonka framed his bid as a response to public demand rather than personal ambition. “Leadership is not about comfort—it is about responsibility,” he said. “When the people call, you don’t negotiate—you answer.” However, beneath the measured tone lies a…
Author: Magati Obebo
Kisii gubernatorial hopeful Ezekiel Ombaki Machogu has accused Governor Simba Arati of engaging in what he termed as “panic politics,” arguing that the county leadership has shifted focus from service delivery to early campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election. In a statement shared Monday, Machogu claimed the governor is beginning to “come to terms with the reality that his time in office is coming to an end,” accusing him of prioritizing political survival over development. “He now appears to have shifted focus away from service delivery to early politicking,” Machogu said. “Instead of working for the people, he is…
Residents of the Gusii region have been assured that the ongoing extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will include a station at Ikonge in Nyamira County, easing fears that the area could be sidelined in the multi-billion-shilling infrastructure project. State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke said the government remains committed to ensuring the region benefits from the railway expansion, which is set to run from Naivasha to Malaba through Kisumu. The project was recently reaffirmed by President William Ruto as part of Kenya’s broader infrastructure development agenda. Speaking during an Alumni Day event at Sameta…
In the rain-battered villages of Masaba South, the familiar hum of motorcycle engines has been silenced—replaced by the scrape of shovels and the dull thud of stones pressed into wet earth. Bodaboda riders who once earned a living ferrying passengers along the Masimba–Mogweko road are now its reluctant repair crew. Beneath heavy skies and relentless rain, young men in rubber boots carve trenches through the mud, haul murram in hired trucks, and battle to redirect runoff that threatens to swallow entire sections of road. What should be routine government maintenance has become a daily fight for survival. “By morning, this…
Governor Simba Arati made a dramatic return to Kisii on Wednesday after weeks out of the public eye, using the moment to launch a spirited re-election push while sharply criticizing a recent opposition tour led by Fred Matiang’i. Addressing supporters at Gusii Stadium, Arati dismissed Matiang’i’s visit as lacking substance, terming it “aimless political theatre” driven by rhetoric rather than a clear development agenda. “Coming home should not be classified as an agenda. All of us were born here—my mother was born here. There was nothing new except common rhetoric,” Arati said. In remarks widely seen as a response to…
A caucus of young professionals from Kisii County has urged lawyer and public servant Charles Nyachae to consider running for the county’s top seat in the 2027 general election. The group says it is seeking what it describes as renewed leadership capable of accelerating development and restoring confidence in governance in Kisii County. Through its chairperson Kevin Mamboleo, the caucus said it has been closely monitoring leadership and governance trends in the county and believes a leadership gap has emerged that requires credible and visionary direction. “If he heeds the call to contest, Nyachae would join a race that has…
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations into the use of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) resources in Kitutu Chache South Constituency following allegations of financial irregularities in several development projects. The probe was triggered by a petition filed by Juhudi Kenya activist Bernard Nyamwaro, who raised concerns over the management and implementation of NG-CDF projects in the constituency across multiple financial years. In the petition, Nyamwaro also sought clarification from the NG-CDF national board regarding actions taken against officials implicated in alleged financial irregularities in the utilisation of the fund for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial…
For many people, menstruation remains a topic shrouded in silence—spoken about in whispers or avoided entirely. Yet for countless women in Kenya, it is a recurring battle: a struggle that arrives quietly each month but leaves a very real mark on their bodies, minds, and daily lives. For them, menstrual cramps are more than a minor discomfort. They are a form of pain that can range from mild to severe, affecting each woman differently. While some sail through their cycles almost unscathed, others endure persistent aches that disrupt their routines. For Linda Nyatichi, 30, the experience has often been severe.…
Coffin dealers who had been operating around private hospitals in Kisii County say their businesses have suffered a sharp and unexpected downturn following a government crackdown on suspected fraud linked to the Social Health Authority (SHA). The sweeping enforcement action has dramatically reduced activity around several private health facilities, leaving traders who depended on hospital traffic struggling with dwindling customers and uncertain livelihoods. Fruit vendors and food sellers are also reporting losses as the once-busy hospital surroundings fall quiet. Some traders have already relocated their businesses, saying it could take time before affected facilities are re-chartered and allowed to resume…
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba on Monday urged political leaders to avoid politicising education, warning that partisan attacks risk undermining reforms in the sector. “Keep politics out of the students. However important your career in politics is, never sacrifice the lives of our young people on the altar of your ego,” he said. While acknowledging challenges within the Ministry of Education, Ogamba said critics should also recognise the efforts being made to address them. “We are definitely not idle; work is ongoing,” he added. The CS was speaking during celebrations marking 66 years of Nyambaria Boys High School in Nyamira…
Civil society organisations in Kisii have called for increased government investment in women, saying it is essential for Kenya’s sustainable development. Speaking during celebrations to mark International Women’s Day on Saturday, the groups urged the government to strengthen collaboration with grassroots organisations and expand opportunities for women in economic, social and leadership spaces. Stella Achoki, the chairperson of the organisations, said empowering women is not only a matter of equality but also a long-term investment that benefits entire communities. “Women continue to experience challenges such as gender-based violence, femicide, defilement and teen pregnancies. These vices must be addressed to ensure…
Bar owners in Kisii County have raised concerns over what they term as excessive taxation and multiple licensing requirements, warning that the high cost of compliance is forcing many operators out of business. Officials from the Kisii Bar Owners Association said on Friday that the numerous county levies and permits required to run a bar have become increasingly difficult for small and medium-sized operators to sustain. Association Secretary General Evans Nyaboga told Kahawatungu that several members have already shut down their establishments due to the rising operational costs. “We are being forced to pay numerous licences every year, and the…
Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda condemned alleged ethnic slurs made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the United Opposition’s tour of the Gusii region. Jhanda described the remarks by the former Mathira MP as “uncouth and deeply regrettable,” accusing him of promoting divisive rhetoric at a time when the country needs unity. “The Deputy President’s comments were not only inappropriate but also disrespectful to the people of Kisii,” said Jhanda. During the opposition tour, Gachagua reportedly urged residents to elect a local leader instead of a non-local candidate. Jhanda said Kenyans are gradually rising above bigotry and self-centered leadership,…
Members of the clergy from Kisii County Tuesday urged calm and tolerance amomg politicians as campaigns for elective seats gather momentum across the country. Group chair Bishop Robert Nyamwange of the House of Bishops said the country risks sliding into anarchy if politicians and their supporters embrace divisive and violent rhetoric. “Politics of violence should not be allowed in civilised societies,” said Nyamwajge . He further urged Kenyans to uphold peace and unity during the heated campaign period. “We must learn to compete with ideas and policies, not stones and insults. Leadership is about service, not confrontation.” The clerics spoke…
Health workers in Kisii County marked World Hearing Day Monday with a strong appeal to parents and teachers to prioritize early hearing screening for children, warning that undetected hearing loss is affecting academic performance and social development in schools. The event, held at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, brought together ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists and other healthcare professionals who emphasized the importance of early detection and intervention. World Hearing Day is set aside annually by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care globally. This year’s theme, “From Classroom to…