Bungoma County: Women County Representative intrigues.

The seat for County Women Member of Parliament commonly referred to as Woman Rep has attracted thereabouts 10 candidates as at my last count. Like in the Bungoma governor race, the chisenye are incumbent Hon Dr Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi and Catherine Nanjala Wambilianga. The rest are chinywinywi.

The Political party factor

Hon Reginalda is defending her seat on Jubilee party and the challenger Catherine is Ford Kenya's candidate. Make no mistake, Bungoma county is a Ford Kenya strong hold. First, it's Weta, Hon Moses Wetangula, the NASA principle`s backyard.

Secondly, Ford Kenya has been Omubukusu's liberation vehicle from their days in opposition. The days of Masinde Muliro Wa'Makinia and Wamalwa Kijana. In fact Wamalwa was buried with the FK flag in a similar manner that a patriot is buried with the nation's flag.  This, serves as an apt reminder of the symbolism of the party's cultural importance. Something that the Bukusu people of Mulembe take pride in.

Meet Reginalda Nakhumicha from Lurende Village, Kabuchai Constituency Atekha Kimilili

Dr Reginalda Nakhumicha is in her late 50s or early 60s. She must have been born early in the year given that  Nakhumicha is the name given to Bukusu girls born during the planting season. She is of average height. African woman. Comfortable in her skin not lost in the charade of weight loss flavored teas and ugly sweat pants gym selfies.

In fact, she cuts the a figure of mayi. A big fan of flowing Vitenges and other simple motherly outfits that my and your mother don. Nakhumicha's a mother of five; quite unlike her peers, our mothers, who popped out nine onward.

Nakhumicha hails from Lurende village of Kabuchai constituency and got married to Wanyonyi from Kimilili. If you are unfamiliar with Bungoma county, kindly note the name of that village somewhere. We'll reveal why where she was born and is married is important in the race for Bungoma county WR.

First off is marital status. The Bukusu are particular on who they bequeath power. They give power to married people only. Single mothers are stigmatized. On the campaign trail, the Bukusu voter will keep asking women aspirants: "Ewe otekha wae ?" Where do you cook?

But these questions are busuma ne mrere to Reginalda. A destroyer of glass ceilings, Nakhumicha is an academician per excellence. She holds a PhD in environmental sciences and was a senior lecturer in Moi University before plunging in politics.

She cut her teeth in politics vying for Kimilili MP seat during the Hon. Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi era. Anyone who has faced Hon. Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi will attest to why he calls himself Owakifumbusia. meaning the hunting dog who teases out prey from the bush. A powerful orator, Reginalda must have had her political acumen sharpened in her battles with Dr Mukhisa. Iron sharpens iron.

Given such a journey to the Women Rep. incumbency, little wonder then that Reginalda comes to us as the woman among the men. Not really Martha Karua's "the only man" in the PNU Cabinet, despite the fact that all the other Cabinet members were men; but her slogan "Nasio we` county" draws inspiration from this.

Let us break this down for you.

A slogan equates to the tagline of a brand. The most famous of taglines, Nike's "Just do it now" grew the brand from just $877 million in 1988 to $9.6B in 1998. A slogan is the call to action. The rallying call. The battle cry that calls the troops to order and into formation. Akin to the chorus of a song that imprints a tune into hearts.

Nasio is the name given to this, often tom boy, girl born among boys. A Nasio, through nurture, often bears alpha male personna. Nasio are typically very aggressive. However, under the hood, when pushed hard enough, Nasio are akin to a softly boiled egg. The soft yolk occupying their core flows out under pressure.

Given the natural protective instincts of the male species, the male kinsmen to a Nasio are likely to pamper as much as they knock her about. Am no psychologist neither do I intend to be frown upon ethical constructs of the trade, but a Nasio, will crave for this protection.

Nasio we` county is no different.  Politics is no church, but Reginalda can be very emotional. Twice, I have witnessed her fail to hold her emotions when she took to the mic. She wept in a Sulwe FM interview, at a Misikhu church; once, she left the mic after delivering a speech less than 2 minutes long. Credit to her though, she's got better with this with time.

Of Esther, Mordecai, African Constructs of women and being a Woman Leader 

Being of similar political persuasion, Nasio we` county is in a very comfortable place with Governor Lusaka. A vantage position to address the county's not so secret shame. Chisoni cha the rampant teenage pregnancies in Mt Elgon. Moreover, I am not aware of any interventions in her kitty to curb this.

In addition, occupying such a warm place, mayi Reginalda could have done more as regards the good Senator of Bungoma and Governor's open tiff. She could have been more like Queen Esther of the Persian King Ahasuerus during the time of Achmaemenid Empire. Queen Esther single handedly averted the King's assassination, saved her people from genocide and made one of her kinsmen, Mordecai, Chief Minister.

Reminder: on that note book we had asked you to note down the name of a certain village, kindly note the word 'kinsman' too. We promise to join these dots for you. For now, it can't be lost on you that Weta's quest for presidency could have gained insurmountable traction had Governor Lusaka, and pockets of resistance to Weta's leadership in Bungoma, been pacified through honest negotiation. As a result, the threat to the  King - Governor KLM  reign- is in real danger.

Reginalda, the first Woman Rep Bungoma County, sets the pace 

Whichever way 8/8/2017 goes, Reginalda will forever be remembered for establishing BUCOWO. A savings and credit cooperative society for women to borrow loans and repay back with low interest rates. This is a noble venture that requires future Bungoma Women Reps to nurture it to ubiquity by deepening its percolation at the bottom of the pyramid.

Normal teething problems with the National Government Affirmative action Fund notwithstanding, Nakhumicha has also done well in the education sector. I have come across more than 10 projects in one sub-county bearing her name. These range from class rooms, dormitories, laboratories, dinning halls etc.

Meet the Challenger: Catherine Nanjala Wambilianga from Sichei Village, Kabuchai Constituency Atekha, Webuye 

 

Catherine Nanjala Wambilianga is a secondary school teacher, mother, renown unionist and wife. KUPPET gender secretary. Catherine has also served as a commissioner in the National Council for Nomadic education. This will be her second stab for WR on Ford Kenya ticket. She must have been born somewhere between April and August as Nanjala are girls born during the famine season. 

She hails from Sichei area in Kabuchai constituency married in Webuye. In her late 40s or early 50s. Slim. Trim. A flamboyant dresser. She has these flowing maxi dresses that hug her where it matters. Just enough to keep one curious. Always on, is her Orie Rogo Manduli-esque West African head gear. 

Despite her notable professional achievements, not much has been documented about her public life. There are two reasons behind this. First, it appears that she has chosen to take cover under the hunter-in-the-dark phenomenon that challengers invariably benefit from. As Reginalda hogs the dance floor engrossed in an unsightly zigzag dance, oblivious that she's too drunk to achieve the seductive outcomes she yearns for, Catherine steals suggestive glances at the now embarrassed suitor.

The second reason must lie in her personality. Catherine is one who effortlessly keeps things under wraps. Cool. Calm. Witty. Friendly. Approachable. She has this infectious from the belly laugh. But the salt in the soup lies elsewhere. A temperament revealed in her slogan "Omukoko we Sinani": Tenacious woman. 

Catherine is a fighter. She has been in the race despite her loss in 2013. To get the Ford Kenya ticket she had to battle candidates rumored to be close to party hierarchy. Kenyan politics is expensive. Loyalties shift quickly and relevance has the elusiveness of enduyu: Wild hare. Worse for women in Bukusu land who have to challenge patrilineal customs to even start dreaming of political power. And vanquish them she did. In her campaign rallies she calls and the crows responds:  

Ford Kenya! Simba

Ford Kenya! Simba

Ford Kenya! Simba  Ekhasi (Lioness)

Where it gets ugly: Of clans & Feudal Politics 

Bungoma County has nine constituencies. Three on the lower side (further down the slopes of Mt Elgon)  home to the be` wa'Sudi : Bumula, Sirisia and Kanduyi. Three constituencies is in the belly: Kabuchai, Webuye East and Webuye West which houses both the be` wa'Sudi and be` wa'Amutalla. And three constituencies on the upper side Tongaren, Kimilili and Mt Elgon; home to the Wa'Amutalla.

When the county cake is shared, regionalism comes into play. It is chaos when negotiated democracy fails, as evident in other counties like Isiolo which has eight governor aspirants! Similarly, the agitation that county leaders have to come from all the three regions has refused to slither way in Bungoma.

Then there is the issue of historical imbalances. I'll have to revise my history as to why, but the perception in 21st century Bungoma is that the Wa'Amutalla benefited more from the colonialists and an independent Kenya. They are perceived to be more educated  and even speak Swahili-nised lubukusu.

For example the Wa'Amutalla will call beans kamarakwe while their counter parts in the lower region will say kamakanda. In 2013, the Governor was from Tongaren constituency (Wa'Amutalla), Senator Kabuchai constituency (Belly) and Women Rep Kimilili (Wa'Amutalla). As a consequence, the lower region has felt sidelined and have been waiting for their turn this time.

The Deferred Dreams Of Wa'Sudi

Now is the time to dust off the notebook we had asked you to keep. You see, Kabuchai constituency is Bungoma`s answer to that fabled village in Muranga whose sons and daughters run the show. Where it is said Equity bank C.E.O and chair to the board, James Mwangi. hails from. That one.

Kubuchai constituency is home to Senate Minority leader, Ford Kenya party leader Hon. Wetang'ula; and his key challenger Juma Mukhwana of Jubilee Party. Current Bungoma county Women Representative Hon. Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi; and her challenger Catherine Wambillianga. KLM's main challenger Wycliffe Wangamati aspiring Governor on Ford Kenya party also hails from Khachonge village of Kabuchai constituency.

Catherine Wambillianga and Wycliffe Wangamati share a chief and mukasa. Aspiring Senator Juma Mukhwana,  Women Rep Reginalda Nakhumicha Wanyonyi  and  NASA doyen Hon. Wetangula can comfortably borrow salt from each other. Their homes are less than 10 minutes drive apart. Given that the deputy governor's position is literally for the Saboat from Mt. Elgon And that Bungoma's next governor is likely to be Wycliffe Wangamati or Ken Lusaka Makelo;

What do the be` wa'Sudi make of this?

• Who among the women county Rep aspirants front runners has enough within them to prevail upon the Wa'Sudi for their votes ?
• Will there be a protest vote from the Wa'Sudi that will see the underdog Women Rep aspirants, the likes of  Antonnina Muyoka (lawyer), Beatrice Kituyi (former PS), Hellen Nafula, Jackline Nasimiyu (businessperson), Sween Nyongesa, Hellen Wavomba, Nancy Kibabaa (nominated MCA), Consolata Wakwabubi (former Bungoma county gender chief officer) Maria Nato, Anna Nandako, prevail ? 
• Has any of the chinyinywi the strategic nous to take advantage of this regional imbalance?
• Does any of the chiunwa, ANC governor aspirant Steve Mutoro and ODM governor aspirant Alfred Khangati have the mobilization skills to mobilize the Wa'Sudi and other communities in cosmopolitan Bungoma county to upset KLM and WWW ?
• Or will a Enjofu fall given that Senetor Moses Wetangula is facing a challengers from NASA in former journalists David Makali of ANC (Bungoma Town) and ODM's Bonny Wayne Nyongesa (Bukembe village of Kanduyi constituency) ?