Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has formally set October 3 as the date for launching his campaign for the Kisii gubernatorial seat, signalling a more organised challenge to Governor Simba Arati ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Onyonka will launch his bid at Marani in Kitutu Chache North, where he is expected to rally supporters and outline his agenda as he seeks to move from the Senate to the county executive.
The senator has already made his intention to contest the seat unequivocal.
“I am running as governor of Kisii County 2027, you can take that to the bank,” Onyonka posted on Thursday in his social media handles.
His decision sets up a closely watched political contest with Arati, who is expected to defend his seat in 2027.
Onyonka, however, says his gubernatorial ambitions will not compromise his current constitutional responsibility of overseeing the county government.
“It is a very delicate balancing act. I must behave responsibly without looking petty, by overseeing the county because I still have two years to do that,” he said.
Onyonka brings a long political career to the gubernatorial race, having served in Parliament and government before becoming senator.
He served as Kitutu Chache MP before being elected Kisii Senator in 2022 on an ODM ticket. His parliamentary profile lists a bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Nairobi and a master's degree in International Relations and Marketing from the University of North Carolina in the United States.
His relationship with Arati has, however, undergone a significant political shift.
The two were once allies, but their relationship deteriorated after Arati became governor in 2022. Onyonka subsequently emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the county administration.
He has used his Senate oversight role to question the management and utilisation of county resources and the implementation of development projects.
In March 2024, for instance, he questioned the utilisation of county development funds and demanded accountability over projects.
“What is in there is public money that should be used to benefit the Kisii people?” he asked.
The senator has since increasingly positioned himself as an alternative political voice in the county.
Onyonka has also spoken of efforts to bring together politicians opposed to Arati's re-election bid.
In 2026, he said he was engaging other potential gubernatorial aspirants, including former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara and Dr Enock Ondari, over the possibility of backing a single candidate.
The October 13 event will provide the first major platform for Onyonka to publicly set out his campaign agenda and potentially give a clearer indication of the political alliances he intends to build.
Issues likely to feature in the contest include the county government's development record, resource allocation, service delivery, political alliances and the respective records of the competing camps.
With Onyonka now moving from declaration to an organised campaign launch, the battle for the Kisii governor's office in 2027 is set for increased political activity.
