Entrance of female technocrat could be the game changer for the Bungoma Gubernatorial search.

By Wamukota Mafura

The Bungoma gubernatorial seat is attracting more entrants as time goes by.
Bungoma county GUBERNATORIAL RACE is  male dominated leadership SINCE 2013.

However with the increased number of women in politicAL POSITIONS  IN the last general election whERE 7 women WERE elected as governors, 8  WOMEN ELECTED AS deputy governors,3 ELECTED as Senators ,29 ELECTED as MPs and 115 WOMEN ELECTED as MCAs,,Bungoma county was lucky to GET AT LEAST A WOMAN AS A deputy governor.

Pastor Jenifer Mbatiani,the Deputy Governor Bungoma county made history in the Bungoma County male dominated leadership as the first female Deputy Governor but she has not up to now declared if she will go for the gubernatorial seat in the forthcoming election.

Her close confidants claim that she will be contesting for the Mt Elgon constituency seat in 2027 that’s currently held by the incumbent Fred Kapondi .

Governance experts aver that closing gender gaps in leadership is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, more so the achievement of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

County governments play a central role in empowering women and protecting the most vulnerable in society through the establishment of legal and institutional frameworks that support equal participation.

As 2027 draws closer women for the first time are said to be ready to wrestle with male candidates for the gubernatorial seat.

Despite social, cultural, and economic barriers hindering women from vying for senior positions in 2022 the Gen Z attempted coup d’etat has given women and youth courage and determination to go for top seats in the county.

The electorate is yearning for ‘new blood’ devoid of corruption to lead the county to the next level.

Notable new entrants for the Bungoma gubernatorial position are:-

1. PAUL MASINDE( formerly CECM Finance,Bungoma County..2013 to 2017).

_An introvert but shrewd financial expert who avoided confrontational politics while CECM for finance .

” He is not outgoing but a prudent financial expert. He is a hands on manager who will bring down political rhetoric that has slowed down development in our county,”said Peter Wambulwa ,a teacher from Bungoma West Sub county.

However Masinde is little known at the grassroots in the county.

While working as CECM Finance he was completely detached from the grassroots including Sirisia constituency where he comes from.

While at the finance department, he was accused of nepotism and snobbish character towards colleagues in other departments.

” He treated himself as a boss and would even overlook you if he was not interested in your financial requests.Most colleagues relied on the current CECM Barasa for assistance as Masinde was a super CECM,” said a colleague who sort anonymity.

2..SELLA MUTSOTSO.( Formerly chief officer for cooperatives,Bungoma county government).

She is a focused, soft spoken and dependable technocrat and at the grassroots people say she can be a dependable manager and fit for the gubernatorial seat after rejuvenating the collapsed cooperative sector(2018-2021).

According to IP sources she revived the cooperative movement that had collapsed especially the coffee societies that had been suffocated by corruption aided by government officials domiciled at the ministry of cooperatives.

She streamlined coffee marketing and streamlined coffee societies.Bungoma county has been recognized nationally for a strong cooperative movement while she was the chief officer for cooperatives in the county government.

“She regenerated the cooperative movement and created wealth for our people.If she is entrusted with a bigger role,there will be more value addition to our cash crops.She brought down the noise at Sibumba coffee society and established weigh bridges,” said John Nyongesa ,a coffee farmer from Nakayonjo in Bungoma Central Sub county.

MS Mutsotso is also credited for streamlining coffee marketing that led to increased prices for coffee cherries and sound cooperative management policies in the county.

Under her watch as the chief officer for cooperatives,the coffee sector increased its income from 700,000 to 2 billion (income after tax)Over 17 million tonnes of coffee cherry were sold.

Other activities she initiated include establishing poultry cooperatives in the 9 Sub counties of Bungoma and the 60 million Bumula dairy cooperative society at Lunakwe in Bumula Sub County.

“While in the department of education working as chief officer in acting capacity ,she solved the issues of delayed disbursement of money for scholarships and commenced the VTC trainers promotion,” said a county official who sort anonimity.

Ms Mutsotao was the Key brain behind rehabilitation of Masinde Muliro stadium .
She had high passion for youth develooment activities while serving as acting chief officer for youth,gender,culture and sports.

Apart from the two technocrats, the politicians who have already declared their interest in the Bungoma gubernatorial seat include the flamboyant Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa,Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati,Bussinessman Zachary Barasa and PS for Industry Dr Juma Mukhwana.

” If Sirisia MP John Waluke will be set free( has a criminal case pending ruling),he will be vying for the same seat,” said a close ally of the MP.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka is said to be a late entrant in 2026.
Ends.