Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has officially declared that he will be running for the Kisii gubernatorial seat in the 2027 general election.
Speaking during a radio interview on Wednesday, July 15, the senator made the bold announcement, setting the stage for a potentially heated battle with the current governor, Simba Arati.
“In fact, lemme now tell you the truth, I am running as governor of Kisii County 2027, you can take that to the bank,'' the senator announced.
The senator, however, clarified that his ambitions for the gubernatorial seat will not overshadow his responsibility to fairly oversee projects in the county.
“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,'' Onyonka said.
“My position is very simple, I will oversee the county government of Kisii without fear or favor. I will talk about projects, the governors, and MCAs because that is my job,'' the senator continued, assuring that his oversight responsibility will nor be compromised.
According to Onyonka, he will remain actively involved in his county responsibilities while preparing to unsit Arati.
Onyonka assured the Kisii residents that scrutiny and service will continue throughout his term.
The senator is a key supporter of former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i's 2027 presidential bid.
Onyoka now joins list of politicians and leaders in the county seeking to unseat Arati who include Enock Ondari and Education former CS Ezekiel Machogu, who may consider a second jab at the county top seat after losing to Arati in 2022.
Although the Senator clinched the seat through the ODM ticket, it is still unclear if he will run for the gubernatorial seat with the same party, especially following ODM's working relationship with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Arati, who was the former Dagoretti MP, is a first-time governor in the county, with most residents hailing him for his role as governor. The ODM governor is renowned for his bold, populist style and grassroots appeal.
