Interestingly, three counties have stood out because of the caliber of candidates nominated.
kenyagist.com take look at some of the interesting facts about candidates nominated in Kisumu, Siaya, and Bungoma counties.
Siaya County
Siaya County has been famed for producing a number of academicians in the country, particularly professors.
Equally, this was manifested during the nomination process as accomplished academicians clinched party tickets mostly drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Dr Christine Ombaka, clinched the ODM Woman Representative ticket to defend her seat. Prior to joining politics in 2013, Ombaka worked as a senior lecturer at Maseno University’s department of journalism.
Dr Oburu Oginga, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s brother was given the county’s senatorial ticket. Oburu has a postgraduate degree in economics and served as an Assistant Finance Minister in the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
In the legal field, Senior Council Otiende Amollo was awarded a direct ticket by ODM to defend his Rarieda parliamentary seat. Amollo holds an Honorary of Doctor of Letters degree from Maseno University. His counterpart, James Orengo will fly the ODM ticket for the gubernatorial seat.
Kisumu County
Just like Siaya, Kisumu County registered a number of PhD holders who clinched the party tickets for various seats.
Incumbent governor, Anyang’ Nyongo, a PhD graduate in political science received a direct ticket to defend his seat. He will retain Matthew Owili, another PhD holder, as his running mate.
The ODM senatorial ticket went to Prof Tom Ojienda, a Doctor of Laws (LL.D) holder.Ā Other notable PhD holders who were nominated include MP- Dr Joshua Oron (Kisumu Central) and Dr James Nyikal, who received a direct ticket to defend his Seme seat.
Bungoma County
Unlike Kisumu and Siaya, a section of aspirants in Bungoma County served in various disciplined forces, from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to the National Police Serve (NPS).
Incumbent Sirisia MP, John Waluke,Ā served in the military after joining the disciplined forces as a serviceman in 1982. He will defend his seat on a Jubilee Party ticket.
On the other, Deputy President William Ruto’s ally, Didmus Barasa will defend his Kimilili parliamentary seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket. Barasa served in the military working as a private from 2007 to 2009.
Bumula MP, Mwambu Mabonga, a former Prisons officer will defend his seat on a UDA ticket. He served in Kenya prisons from 2000 to 2010 before working at the Office of the President as a rehabilitation officer.
Democratic Action Party – Kenya (DAP-K) party leader, WafulaĀ Wamunyinyi,Ā served in the police service as a corporal before resigning in 1986 to join politics. He will defend his Kanduyi parliamentary seat in the August polls.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM