It is very clear that Governor James Ongwae term will come to an end in 2022.
Already, a number of leaders have declared interests of replacing the county boss who by the end of four years and a couple of months will be leaving the seat.
Governor Ongwae has not announced his next political move but sources close to him indicate that the county boss will be retiring from active politics.
The top names that are likely to take over from him include:
1.Chris Obure.
Mr Chris Obure is the former senator in Kisii county who is currently serving as the Chief Adminstrative Secretary in the ministry of roads.
Mr Obure contested for the Kisii Governorship seat but lost to Governor Ongwae.
Initially he served as the Member of parliament in Bobasi where he enjoys massive support in the county.
Mr Obure is loved by locals because he initiated several road projects when he was the minister years back.
He is also known for his close ties with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
2.Simba Arati
Mr Arati is the current Member of Parliament in Dagoretti North.
He is also a self imposed Gusii spokesperson who in the recent past has caught media headlines with the titles.
Mr Arati is said to be eyeing to replace Governor Ongwae but faces an ever growing hosility from locals who say that the MP should serve in the city.
In the recent past, Mr Arati has been questioning several projects initiated by Governor Ongwae which has attracted condemnation by local leaders.
3.Joash Maangi
He is the current Deputy Governor Kisii county who chickened out from the governorship race and opted to deputise Governor Ongwae.
Together with his boss they are serving the second term.
Mr Maangi rejoined ODM after years of working with Jubilee which saw his name eliminated from the list of ODM leaders.
However, his stay in Jubilee was shortlived as he was not able to convinc a following to back his Governorship ambitions.
4.Richard Onyonka
He is the most vocal member of parliament in Gusii region.
In the last elections he pulled a surprise when he went ahead and won the kitutu Chache South parliamentary on a Ford-Kenya party ticket.
Mr Onyonka initially worked with Jubilee leaders despite being an ODM bigwig which put him at crossroads with Nasa supporters.
He is also a great threat to leaders eyeing the county top seat.
5.Ms Janet Ong'era
Ms Ong'era is the Kisii woman representative.
Ms Ong'era the only lady in the list is equally influential in the county and if she declares interest on the seat she might equally be a threat.
She hails from Bobasi constituency.
In the last term she served as a nominated senator.
6. Dr Fred Matiang'i
He is the current Internal Minister of Security in Kisii county.
Dr Matiang'i is loved and hated on equal measure in the region.
If he declares interest in contesting for the seat he will also be a threat.
Last year, he played a vital role in campaigning for President Uhuru Kenyatta in gusii.