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KISII COUNTY GOVERNOR, SENATOR AND WOMEN REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATES

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR

JAMES OMARIBA ONGWAE, ODM

Mr Ongwae was born in Kitutu Chache constituency, and studied Economics, Government and sociology at the University of Nairobi. 

He has served at TSC and as PS, Agriculture before joining politics in 2007 where he contested the Kitutu Chache parliamentary seat but lost.

Mr Ongwae was PM Raila Odinga’s chief campaign manager until last July.

His target is to create jobs and promote education, agriculture, sports, roads, health and ICT.

JUSTRY PATRICK LUMUMBA NYABERI, TNA

The lawyer comes from Bobasi, and has unsuccessfully contested twice for the parliamentary seat. He holds a doctorate in law from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and another in Business Administration, and an MBA from University of Nairobi.

In the year 1990 graduated with Diploma in Law from Kenya school of Law. Mr Nyaberi worked as the managing director Kenya Cooperative Creameries Ltd between 1998-1999.

PETER SALIM NDEMO, FORD PEOPLE

Dr Peter Ndemo, 70, hails from Kitutu Chache. He holds Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Washington International. He also holds MBA from the same university. 

He served as a commissioner of the Public Service from 2002-2009, and worked as director of shipping and maritime affairs in the Ministry of Transport. In 1999 he worked as alternate director, KPA. He also served as deputy secretary in charge of Postal Corporation.

ZADDOC OGUTU, UDF

Prof Ogutu was born in Bomachoge. He did his MA in Natural resources from the University of Toronto and has PhD in Development studies from the University of Edinburgh. Between 2002- 2008 he was a Regional Coordinator Programme on Poverty eradication and Environment in Lake Victoria region. 

He has also served in UNEP, UNPD and UN habitat. His goal is creating wealth and jobs through value addition to make Kisii town and rural livable.

SHEM MACHOKA, KENYA SOCIAL CONGRESS

He comes from Bomachoge constituency and is a businessman in Kisii County.

He is real estate developer, and runs hospitality facilities.

He holds a bachelor’s degree of business management from Egerton University.

He promises that he will economically empower the youth and women once he is elected the governor.

CANDIDATES FOR SENATE

CHRIS OBURE, ODM

The former MP for Bobasi and minister for Public Works was born in 1950 in the larger Majoge Bassi constituency which has since been split to Bobasi and Bomachoge. Mr Obure holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi. 

He worked for Bata Shoe as company secretary and director between 1968-74 and Kenya Breweries as company secretary from 1974-83. He first contested for parliamentary seat for Majoge Bassi constituency in 1969 but lost to Zephaniah Anyieni. He bounced back and won the seat in 1983. He has been Bobasi MP for over 20 years, and wants stability.

SAM ONGERI, TNA

He is the outgoing MP for Nyaribari Masaba and minister for Foreign Affairs and was born in Gesusu in 1938. The professor of medicine attended various universities abroad, and was first elected as MP for Nyaribari Masaba in 1988 till 1992. 

He was re-elected in 1997 and 2007. Prof Ongeri served in various ministries. In 1993-98 he was Kenya’s permanent representative, Unep. Prof Ongeri promises to add value to education, address the high rate of unemployment, improve farming, infrastructure in urban and town centres for business.

OMINGO MAGARA, PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Born in 1961, the former assistant minister for Trade was first elected South Mugirango MP in a January 2001 byelection. Mr Magara holds a bachelor of commerce from Punjab University. He is also a CPA (K) and a member of ICPAK. 

Mr Magara has worked with Income tax department at the Ministry of Finance. He has also worked with the Kenya Revenue Authority. He served as a chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) between 2003 and 2004. Magara says if elected the first senator, his priorities will be developing key sectors of the county’s economy.

RAPHAEL RAINI, FORD KENYA

Mr Raini was born in Nyangusu in Bobasi constituency. He went to a secondary school in Uganda and later graduated from Milano University in Italy with a degree in accounting and has worked in the civil service for 28 years before retirement. 

He was formerly the chief accountant in the Ministry of Lands and Settlement until 1992. Has interest in the hospitality industry being the proprietor of Solace Hotel, Nairobi. He is approaching 70 years of age.

CANDIDATES FOR WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVES

MARY OTARA (ODM)

The social worker has been championing the plight of widows and orphans. Mrs Otara holds a degree on Social Work and Development from Daystar University, and has diploma in Systematic Theology from Neema College. 

She currently serves as national women coordinator with the Evangelical Church in Kenya. She will continue to assist poor households through her wide network and promote basic health and food security.

JANE MATOKE (FORD PEOPLE)

Born in Bobasi, Ms Matoke studies at the University of Nairobi for bachelor’s degree in law. She worked in Cooperatives ministry’s legal department for two years, then practised for 12 under her Njagi and Nyaboke Advocates. 

She also worked as chairperson Water and Regulatory Board. She promises to champion the rights of women, and pay particular attention to the girl child and education. She will seek to improve infrastructure with government money and seek markets abroad.

ROSEMARY OBARA

She is a teacher who served for 20 years until 2004. She attended Nyabururu Girls before she moving Manor House High School and Kaimosi TTC. She also holds a diploma in county governance from the JKUAT. 

Currently she is a business woman in Kisii town. If elected she vows to continue fighting for retrogressive FGM practices and transform the lives of women and girls who for years have carried water on their heads, babies strapped on backs.

JUDITH KERUBO MIRUKA

The youngest women aspirant Mrs Miruka was born in 1976 in Bonchari. She learnt at Otamba Secondary before joining Meru TTC. She later enrolled for her first degree in Education at the University of Nairobi. 

She holds a masters in administration and planning from the same university. She promises that if elected, she will address issues affecting people in society. “I will not discriminate based on gender,” she says.

MRS FONTINA ROSELINE NGARE (NARC K)

Born in 1969 in Nyamira County, she attended Kebirichi Primary and Sengera Girls High before joining St Paul’s TTC. She holds a degree in education and masters in administration. She has been a headteacher for nine years before she resigned to join politics.

Mrs Ngare will empower women because she understands issues affecting them. “I have lived with Kisii women since I was born,” she says.

KISII CONSTITUENCIES AND REGISTERED VOTERS