Left to right: Senators Mike Sonko (Nairobi), Anyang' Nyony'o (Kisumu) and Boni Khalwale (Kakamega). [PHOTO/igihe.com]
Nairobi senator Mike Sonko and a host of other incumbent senators are leaving the Upper House en-mass contest for either the governor's or National House posts.
The senators have cited intimidation and frustration from MPs as the key reason they are running away from the House with the first elective period into devolution just about to conclude.
They say that the Senate lacks the muscle needed for its oversight mandate and that it has instead been embroiled in superiority battles with the National Assembly over the last four years.
“It is a fact that under the current configuration of the Constitution, the Senate does not have the prerequisite muscle to protect devolution. The Constitution must be reviewed to empower it,” said Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
He will be locking horns with ODM deputy party leader and incumbent Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya for the county's top seat.
Nairobi counterpart Mike Sonko will be throwing in his efforts to unseat Evans Kidero from the top of City Hall although his gubernatorial aspiration is still clouded with a section of Jubilee appearing to favour Peter Kenneth.
In Kisumu, Senator Anyang Nyong'o is expected to go against his current county boss Jack Ranguma, just like Senator Hassan Omar of Wiper hopes to dethrone Hassan Joho of ODM in Mombasa.
In total there are more than 16 senators who have confirmed they want to unseat their governors with another 10 running for MP.
With the 'weak' senate appearing to chase away aspirants, Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura (Murang’a) has asked for efforts to be put in place to strengthen the House.
"I hope they are not leaving to join the gravity of misappropriation of public funds we have seen in many county governments. I hope they are leaving because they have seen the potential of devolution and how much it has been abused by governors during the first term,” he said.
He will defend his seat.