Over the past few months, a number of corporate leaders have expressed interest in different elective seats in the August 9 General Election.
Inspired by different factors including replicating their corporate success, the CEOs are resigning from their jobs to try their hands in politics.
Fernandes Barasa
Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) CEO and Managing Director Fernandes Barasa declared interest in the Kakamega Gubernatorial seat.
Barasa served as the chief executive of KETRACO since 2016 and has steered the company in achieving great milestones in the last six years.
The corporate boss, who previously worked for Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited (KTDA) and Kenya Airways and East Africa Reinsurance, is seeking to vie via an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.
Other gubernatorial candidates seeking to succeed incumbent governor Wycliffe Oparanya include his deputy Philip Kutima, Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito, Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and former county Senator Bonny Khalwale.
Tabitha Karanja
She is the CEO of Keroche Breweries, the first large brewery in Kenya owned by a non-multinational company.
Tabitha has been at the helm of the company since 1997 when she founded it with her husband Joseph Karanja, at their family farm.
She recently made her entry into politics after declaring that she will contest the Nakuru Senatorial seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
"To the DP, I have listened to you and I have practised that for the last twenty-five years and I am a practical example of bottom-up. I ask you when you make the Cabinet, remember the problem businesses have gone through. You should know that we want a conducive environment for businesses. High taxation has brought down companies," Tabitha stated.
Others who are keen to succeed current Senator Susan Kihika are; Dr Joseph Mburu, Mike Weche, Davis Ruto, Andrew Yatich, Nominated MP Gideon Keter and Molo MP Kuria Kimani.
Kiprop Bundotich
Buzeki Group of companies CEO and founder Kiprop Bundotich declared interest in the Uasin Gishu Gubernatorial seat.
He vied in 2017 but lost to the area governor Jackson Mandago who garnered 193,606 votes against Buzeki's 148,121.
In November 2021, he revealed that he will vie for the seat as an independent candidate and told off those who were forcing him to join Deputy President William Ruto's UDA.
"If I don't want your party, why are you forcing me? Another one told me that they had given me until December to join UDA. The party has not given me their manifesto and I have heard what they are going around saying and I don't want to join UDA. Don't even force me," Buzeki asserted.
Other people who are keen on clinching the seat are; Ambassador Sarah Serem, Jonathan Bii, Nairobi CECM Veska Kangogo, Uasin Gishu County Assembly Chief Whip, David Sing'oei, Ambassador Julius Bitok and Soy MP Caleb Kositany.
John Konchellah
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Chairman Dalton Konchellah is keen on becoming the next Member of Parliament (MP) for Kilgoris.
He made the announcement after current MP Gideon Konchellah revealed that he would not seek re-election for the position.
"Kilgoris constituency needs more tarmac roads because it has dealt a blow to the agriculture sector which is the main source of the livelihoods for the residents who despite getting big yields, they could not transport their agricultural produce,” Konchellah remarked.
Other's interested in the seat are; former Internal Minister Julius ole Sunkuli, Joel Tasur, Educationist John Ololtuaa among others.
Jimmi Wanjigi
Kwacha Group of Companies founder and CEO Jimmi Wanjigi joined the presidential race and declared that he is the suitable candidate to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta
He has been campaigning to be ODM's presidential flag bearer and opened multiple offices across the country.
Wanjigi is expected to face off with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is also running for the country's top seat, via the party's ticket. He has previously called for a free and fair nomination process.
"The presidential contest must be reopened now. We also expect a transparent process down to the MCA level. It must be free and fair. We are in this to make sure the party is stronger, not weaker. It is our right as members to demand free, fair and transparent nominations for all positions,” Wanjigi remarked.
Other people who want to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta are; National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress (ANC) leaders Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka among others.
Victor Ngatia
Cynkey Limited Managing Director (MD) announced that he would be in the race to oust Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, whose first term ends in August 2022.
Ngatia, who is an engineer by training, vied for the seat in 2017 but lost to Kinyanjui.
In August 2021, he launched the Movement United for Super Action (MUSA) party to advocate for economic and social intervention and promote social justice to all Kenyans.
"We aspire to provide national and county government leadership and management of public affairs by fielding candidates in various positions in the 2022 elections," Ngatia noted.
He will go up against; Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Senator Susan Kihika and former Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua.
Richard Ngatia
Megascope Healthcare CEO Richard Ngatia, who is also Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President, Richard Ngatia declared interest in the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat.
In a previous interview, Ngatia stated that will vie via the Azimio La Umoja ticket.
Analysts argue that the businessman's odds to win the party ticket are low, after the movement leader, Raila Odinga, publicly declared support for Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.
"I am also here with the incoming Governor of Nairobi Tim Wanyonyi," the former Prime Minister stated in Swahili on Sunday, January 30.
Other aspirants include; businessman Agnes Kagure, former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.
