By all measures, Kisii Woman Representative Doris Donya Aburi Toto has had a steady stay in office as Women Representative.
Methodical in approach and careful with her political alliances, the former radio journalist has cultivated a demeanor of a worker -rolling up the sleeves and digging up boreholes enhancing water accessibility across the county.
But as the next electoral cycle gathers momentum, she finds herself walking a political tightrope, with a string of determined contenders — Janet Ongera, Essy Okenyuri, Vicky Onderi and Betty Michomi — lining up to challenge her grip on the seat.
Toto is serving her first term
Historically no other predecessor has successfully defended the seat in the region posing a rare challenge to Toto as she navigates the journey to retain the seat in the 2027 poll.
Analysts now weigh in saying the contest ahead for Toto may not merely be about defending her record; it would be about recalibrating her political strategy in a rapidly shifting landscape.
Kisii University don and Political pundit Dr Eric Onsongo says for many Toto is widely viewed as a performer against the measly budget allocations from the National Treasury.
“She has dug boreholes in almost each ward matching action with the manifesto she had initially sold to the people. She may be forced to heavily rely on this during her campaigns,” he said Wednesday.
Indefatigable in spirit, she still has time to wander in the villages with charity donations.
The second hand clothes in the portfolio have since earned her “Marogoto” as a moniker.
Readily she has embraced the new found title albeit originally derogatorily coined by her critics.
Onsongi says while the incumbency offers advantages — visibility, access to resources, and established networks — it also comes with heightened scrutiny.
Toto’s tenure has been defined by a focus on women empowerment programmes, and community-based initiatives yet protestations abound.
She has avoided the political turbulence that often derails development agendas yet the homework of retaining her seat exists.
There was talk of exaggerated expenditure by her office but it never invited investigations.
Keen on survival, though elected on the Wiper Party ticket, Toto quickly switched allegiance to President’s William Ruto’s, UDA party leadership.
She had also eagerly campaigned with Governor Simba Arati (ODM) and Senator Richard Onyonka, in a strange inter party agreement that saw her clinch the seat.
Today, uneasiness surround her relationship with Arati.
It is thick, you can chop with a knife.
And though Arati has since joined Ruto’s Two term push, she has still managed a safe distance off.
Even then Toto could be returning to the ballot to face a skeptical electorate as more new entrants show up .
She could be facing the challenge of convincing voters that what she has achieved in the short term should outweigh the charisma and novelty of hawking her bid again.
Each of Toto’s challengers brings a distinct political flavour to the race.
Janet Ongera, through the Dr Fred Matiangi’s Jubilee Party is positioning herself as savior — a candidate closely attuned to the everyday struggles of women at the ward and village level.
Her campaign rhetoric leans heavily on accessibility and hands-on leadership, a subtle critique of what she portrays as Toto’s distant approach.
It would be a re-invention or subtle climb back on the Matiangi tide -whichever comes home conveniently.
Ongera had served in the seat before Toto hounded her out and it would be a tough act seducing voters .
She was in ODM with Arati but the strange clan arithmetics pushed her to the periphery climaxing with a disastrous show as a result.
She quickly ditched the party soon after the polls.
Essy Okenyuri, a Nominated Senator, from Bomachoge Borabu, on the other hand, is silently courting the youth and professional class.
Articulate and policy-focused, she frames her bid as a generational shift, arguing for the need for fresh energy and bolder advocacy at the national level.
She is a darling in the social media circle and she is fixing the gap with visits to the grassroots, charming women in the markets and church.
Tutored by Ruto ,it would be a wait and see whether she would ditch him as she seeks to build her own political path- away from patronage.
Betty Michomi, a legal mind, from Nyaribari Chache enters with a populist touch, blending community activism with sharp political messaging.
Her appeal lies in her ability to connect emotively with voters, particularly those who feel left out of mainstream development narratives.
Vicky Ondari, also from Bomachoge Borabu has aleo declared her intention to challenge Toto.
She has been active in community development initiatives across the county.
Her bid, she says is anchored on grassroots empowerment, women’s economic inclusion, and youth opportunities.
She promises transparency and accountability if she wins.
It would be her third attempt at the ballot.
Others are Ombati who appears keen on finding her space around Governor Simba Arati since their messy divorce with Toto, and Moraa Obino.
The presence of six contenders complicates the race in ways that could either benefit or hurt the incumbent.
Behind the scenes, party dynamics and alliances will however play a decisive role.
Toto would be balancing loyalty to her political base while reaching out to undecided voters who may be tempted by the promise of change.
It is yet not clear if the emerging alliance that is pushing the two term Ruto agenda would pick her in their mix.
If so, Toto would find herself squeezed deep between Arati and those campaigning for Ruto in the region.
As campaigns shape up ahead of time, the women rep contest is emerging to be one of the most closely watched political battles in the region.
For Donya Toto, survival will depend on her ability to strike a delicate balance which include defending her achievements without appearing complacent, responding to criticism without losing her trademark composure, and convincing voters that experience still matters in an a landscape constantly hungry for new faces.
Whether continuity or change prevails, one thing is clear that the race for the women rep seat is no longer a quiet affair.
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