An epic political battle is looming in Turkana County as political bigwigs position themselves to succeed Governor Josphat Nanok, whose terms come to an end in 2022.
With two years to the next general election, succession wars for the lucrative governor’s seat in the county has reached fever pitch, with prospective candidates involved in early political activities to market themselves.
Those who have declared interest in the seat include Mining CS John Munyes, Former Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, MPs Jeremiah Lomorukai(Loima), Nakara Lodepe(Turkana Central), James Lomenen(Turkana South), Daniel Nanok(Turakana West) and County Assembly Speaker Ekitela Lokaale.
Governor Nanok’s Deputy Peter Lotethiro is also said to be in line to succeed his boss while Senator Prof. Malachy Ekal Imana has also substantively shown interest in the seat, if his recent manouvres are anything to go by.
Turf wars have emerged, with the candidates attending funerals and other social gatherings to gauge the feelings of the voters.
But it is the political forays of abrasive Loima MP that have set tongues wagging. Lomorukai, a close ally of NASA leader Raila Odinga, has openly declared his interest in the top seat and has warmed Governor Nanok against sacking senior county employees backing his bid.
Munyes, who contested and lost to Nanok in 2017 feels his position as Cabinet Secretary, puts him at a strategic position to take over as the next governor.
Lodepe says after being MP for two terms, he is now ready to serve Turkana County as a governor. In 2017 elections, he decamped to ODM and backed Nanok’s re-election, and feels it is time for the outgoing county boss to repay the political debt.
Clearly the race to succeed Nanok will be a battle of titans. Governor Nanok recently declared that he will be actively involved in the 2022 politics and that means he will play a key role in shaping up the race.
