Gifted with eloquence and confident in her message, youthful Diana Ontiri is steadily making her case for the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary seat, stepping into a political arena traditionally dominated by men.
For Ontiri, her decision to join the race is deliberate — an attempt to challenge long-held assumptions about who can seek elective office and to demonstrate that women and young people can compete for leadership positions on their own merit.
Her entry adds a new voice to an increasingly competitive contest in which incumbent MP Daniel Manduku is seeking another term.
But Ontiri insists her campaign is about more than winning a parliamentary seat.
It is also about representation.
“I did not enter this race because I think politics belongs to women or men. I entered because leadership belongs to anyone who has the courage, vision and commitment to serve the people,” she says.
With an assured public-speaking style, Ontiri has been telling residents that women should no longer remain on the margins of political decision-making.
“Our mothers have raised families, built businesses, educated children and held communities together. They have demonstrated leadership every day. Why should Parliament be different?” she asks.
Her candidature has attracted attention among some residents who say her decision to enter the race has widened the political conversation in the constituency.
Mary Thomas , from Ibacho says Ontiri's campaign had given women and young people a different perspective on electoral politics.
“Whether she wins or not, she has already opened a door. Our daughters need to see women standing before crowds and asking for votes, not only supporting men who are seeking office,” she said.
John Matundura, a mechanic, said Ontiri's candidature reflected changing attitudes towards political participation.
“We want leaders who can listen to ordinary people. If Diana believes she can provide that leadership, let her come and tell us what she wants to do. We should not dismiss her simply because she is a woman,” he said.
But beneath the gender and generational debate lies a more familiar set of constituency concerns — roads, electricity, education and accessibility of elected leaders.
In August, Manduku raised concerns in Parliament over delays in the Last Mile Connectivity Project, which was intended to connect more than 5,000 customers across 26 villages.
For some residents, however, development expectations remain a central issue as the constituency heads towards the 2027 election.
“I voted for the MP expecting visible development in our villages. But several years later, many roads remain in poor condition and residents are still asking when they will see meaningful projects,” Tom Bosire from Suguta said.
“We need an MP who is present and responsive to the needs of the people.”
Bosire said constituents also wanted greater engagement with their elected representative, particularly on development priorities affecting ordinary families.
“People want to see the MP regularly coming to the ground, listening to residents and explaining what has been achieved and what remains pending. There is a feeling among some residents that more could have been done,” he said.
At Metembe, in Masimba ,small-scale farmer James Ombaki said poor infrastructure continued to affect economic activity.
“Farmers need better roads so that produce can reach markets without unnecessary delays and costs. We also need stronger support for education and other basic services,” he said.
At Gesusu, Jackline Kerubo said the 2027 election would provide voters with an opportunity to assess the incumbent's record against the expectations they had when they elected him.
“Residents will look at the projects, the accessibility of the MP and how well he has represented the constituency. People want leadership that they can see and feel in their daily lives,” she said.
Ontiri is seeking to turn those expectations into an argument for a different style of representation, presenting her youth and gender as part of a broader case for inclusive leadership.
“I am not asking women to vote for me because I am a woman. I am asking every voter to look at my ideas, my courage and my commitment to this constituency,” she says.
If elected, Ontiri would become a significant figure in the history of women's representation in Gusii parliamentary politics.
For her supporters, however, the significance of her campaign extends beyond the ballot.
“She has shown that a woman can walk into a political field dominated by men and say, ‘I belong here too.’ That alone is powerful,” said John Bosire, a resident of Masimba.
As the 2027 contest gathers momentum, Ontiri's campaign is introducing another voice into the Nyaribari Masaba race — one that is relying heavily on confidence, eloquence and a promise to give voters a different choice.
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