NIS Agent Sam Wakiaga to Jump into Murky Political Waters In Homabay

By Nicholas Olambo

The race to clinch Homa Bay gubernatorial seat in the 2017 general elections is taking shape by the day, already three aspirants have expressed their quest to unseat Cyprian Awiti. Former NSIS official Sam Wakiaga, Kasipul Mp Oyugi Magwanga and Enosh Bollo are eying Awiti’s job.

Wakiaga may not have held an elective position in the past but comes out as a serious contender and a threat to the incumbent; his candidature is sending strong shockwaves in the county politics. He cannot be belittled as a small contender, Wakiaga is a known philanthropist with a strong support base that had in the past fronted him to challenge the late Senator Otieno Kajwang’, then Mbita Mp in 2007.

That never was, and strong whispers had it that Baba (Hon. Raila Odinga) asked him to hold his quest to allow his strong point man (Kajwang’) in the region run. But times have changed and the constituency job now seems a small seat for Wakiaga. Born in 1960 in Rusinga Island, he rose from the position of a mere accountant to the position of Assistant Director in charge of Economic Affairs at the NSIS where he worked for nearly two decades.

He opted to retire in May to focus on being the next governor for Homa Bay County; he says the county has nothing to show of the Shs 24 billion it has received since 2013. The county is lagging behind regarding development because funds meant for serious projects have ended up in the pockets of individuals who have bought off EACC agents camping in the county.

The Auditor General has documented the loss of hundreds of millions which have seen key projects such as Shs 600 billion Agri City project stalling and others ending up as channels to loot from the taxpayers’ coffers. CEC members and MCAs are flashing in lavish cars, homes and bought prime plots in neighboring Kisumu and Migori counties.

The level of corruption in Homa Bay is horrifying, and this is one thing Wakiaga wants to fix when he becomes the next governor, he says he has handled more billions at the NSIS than the county receives but he left NSIS with clean hands, there are no questions surrounding his integrity.

Also in the race is Kasipul Mp Oyugi Magwanga with a track record that speaks volumes, he is one the best performing MPs in the region. In his second term in parliament, Magwanga boasts of good political experience and management of CDF.

But from another angle, Magwanga’s candidature may be a blessing to Wakiaga. It’s no doubt that Awiti faces stiff competition as much as he is from the vote-rich region, Rachuonyo has nearly half the votes of the entire county followed by Homabay (Rangwe and Ndhiwa) then Mbita and Suba have the lowest.

Magwanga’s candidature may split votes and spoil the party for the incumbent who is scheming to maintain a strategy not different from that of 2013. The previous general election had two factions one led by the late Kajwang’ which included the incumbent (Awiti) and the other that was led by Eng. Philip Okundi.

The would be members of Awiti’s team are paying no attention, Women Representative Gladys Wanga is mingling with all the gubernatorial aspirants and Senator Moses Kajwang’ is paying no attention to the ‘strategy.’

Magwanga is not so vocal; Enosh Bollo is not proving to be any threat when Wakiaga is on a rocky campaign trail sealing his backyard with a slight challenge from ODM Chairman and Suba Mp John Mbadi who has advised him to go for the senatorial seat. He dismissed Mbadi’s advice and stays focussed on his dream to be the next governor of Homa Bay, is that a too big bite for him?