Fierce political battles for governor races are shaping up in at least 15 counties as incumbents seek a second term against the curse of one term and a plot by pioneer county bosses to make a comeback.
The 2027 contests have become more intricate as a result of shifting alliances, clan dynamics and party politics.
Some of the counties political observers say are likely to witness stiff competition include Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru and Meru, where voters have never re-elected their governors.
Other regions expected to have fierce contests as a result of the country’s shifting political landscape are Kakamega, Mombasa, Machakos, Laikipia, Trans-Nzoia, Migori, Siaya, Bungoma, Kisii, Kericho and Bomet.
In Kakamega, Governor Fernandes Barasa is under pressure as seasoned politicians scheme to gang up against him ahead of 2027. His troubles have been complicated after a fallout with his predecessor and the Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary, Wycliffe Oparanya. Mr Oparanya was crucial to his 2022 victory.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa speaks during the handing over of the Milimani Affordable Housing Project in Lurambi Constituency, Kakamega, on March 17, 2026.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda and former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala are among those seeking to unseat Mr Barasa.
Governor Barasa has, however, expressed confidence that he would secure a second term, citing his development track record while dismissing CS Oparanya and his rivals.
Senator Khalwale, also speaking to the Nation, expressed confidence in winning. He dismissed Mr Barasa’s development record.
Ms Muhanda regretted backing Mr Barasa in the 2022 polls. “We believed he would continue the good work started by Oparanya, but he has failed to deliver and has disappointed many residents,” she said.
In Nairobi, Governor Johnson Sakaja is under pressure to break the one-term jinx amid sustained political onslaught by the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and ODM’s Linda Mwananchi faction that has fronted Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for the governor's seat.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga appears before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Otieno Kajwang' at Bunge Tower, Nairobi on June 16, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Embakasi North MP James Gakuya is one of the aspirants eyeing the governor's seat on DCP. Within UDA, Nairobi's pioneer governor, Evans Kidero, is plotting a comeback. Dr Kidero lost to Mike Sonko in 2017. He again lost to Gladys Wanga in 2022 when he shifted base to Homa Bay. Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri and former Principal Secretary Irung’u Nyakera are also in the race to unseat Governor Sakaja.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Siaya governor race is also emerging as a high-stakes political contest likely to be shaped by the power struggle pitting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Oburu Oginga and Governor James Orengo.
Dr Oginga and his allies, led by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, have vowed to teach Governor Orengo a lesson at the ballot after the county boss declared himself ODM de facto leader. Mr Orengo is part of the Linda Mwanachi faction that is opposed to Dr Oginga’s leadership and President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
In an interview with the Nation, Mr Wandayi said he would ensure Mr Orengo does not get a second term. “I am not running for governor, but I will ensure Orengo goes home. He is used to direct nomination, which he will not get this time,” said Mr Wandayi.
Siaya Governor James Orengo at his Ugenya home in Siaya County, on February 27, 2026. It is disappointing that a politician of his stature would resort to remarks widely perceived as sexist for political advantage.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Those who have declared interest in the governor's seat include Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, Movement for Democracy and Growth (MDG) party leader and Ugenya MP David Ochieng, and former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo. Siaya Speaker George Okode and former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju have also been mentioned as possible candidates.
Another fierce race is also shaping up in Kisii, where Governor Simba Arati is facing a tough challenge from former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and Senator Richard Onyonka, who are both seeking the Jubilee Party ticket.
Kisii County Governor Simba Arati.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Governor Arati is part of the broad-based government team, while his opponents are part of the United Opposition.
“I’m the longest-serving politician in Kisii, having served as an MP for over 20 years and now a senator. I have what it takes to be a governor because even in the positions I have served, my record is there for all to see,” said Mr Onyonka.
In Bomet, former governor Isaac Ruto is seeking a comeback as governor Hillary Barchok completes his second and final term. Mr Rutto lost the seat to the late Joyce Laboso in 2017 and Barchok in 2022.
“Devolution is working, but there is a lot still to be done in terms of creating employment across the board. The elephant in the room is paying the pending bills and the allocation from the national government,” said Mr Rutto.
In Trans Nzoia, Governor George Natembeya is seeking re-election but will face his 2022 competitor, Chris Wamalwa, former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and Kiminini MP Kakai Bissau.
Trans-Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
“I’m ready for any of my opponents because I believe it is the people who will decide, and it will depend on what I have done since I came to office. What I’m against is the politics of dictatorship where some people feel they have a say in who should lead more than others,” said Mr Natembeya.
In Migori, Governor Ochilo Ayacko is under a sustained political onslaught by Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who has accused the first-term governor of failing to deliver to the people. Mr Nyamita, who was recently ranked as the best performing MP in Nyanza in a nationwide survey by Infotrak, has since asked ODM to ensure credible party primaries.
Migori County Governor Ochilo Ayacko when he appeared before the County Public Accounts Committee at KICC in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Another battle is also shaping up in Bungoma between Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and his Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa. Former governor Wycliffe Wangamati is also seeking to succeed Governor Ken Lusaka, who is serving his final term. Mr Wangamati defeated Mr Lusaka in 2017, before the pioneer governor beat him in 2022.
Mr Wanyonyi is backed by Sirisia MP John Waluke, while Mr Barasa, who is set to run on UDA, is said to have the blessing of Mr Lusaka. Mr Wanyonyi is yet to announce the party on whose ticket he will contest, although he has publicly declared that he is not interested in running on the Ford Kenya ticket.
In Laikipia, the political battle lines are being drawn in the succession of Governor Joshua Irungu. Mr Irungu served as the county's pioneer governor, but lost the re-election bid in 2017 to Ndiritu Muriithi, before reclaiming it in 2022 on UDA. Mr Muriithi, who serves as Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) board chairman, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and former Woman Rep Cate Waruguru are some of the big shots in the race. Others are county secretary Koinange Wahome, Health Executive Albert Taiti and deputy governor Reuben Kamuri.
In Nakuru, Governor Susan Kihika recently made an emotional appeal for the electorate to end the one-term cycle, which she cited as slowing development.
“Are we going to repeat the cycle over and over? Going 10 steps forward, 20 steps backwards?” she posed. “Which angel do you want to bring?” she added in an open frustration.
Nakuru pioneer governor Kinuthia Mbugua lost his re-election bid to Mr Lee Kinyajui in 2027. Mr Kinyanjui, who is now in President William Ruto’s Cabinet as Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary, suffered a similar fate in the 2022 race.
Kericho Governor Eric Mutai.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Kericho could also witness an intense contest. Governor Eric Mutai’s first term has been characterised by a major power struggle that saw him survive two impeachment attempts by the county assembly. Former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, who lost to Dr Mutai in the 2022 contest, has declared interest in having another stab at the seat. Deputy Governor Fred Kirui is also said to be plotting to challenge his boss, Dr Mutai, in the race.
In Kiambu, Governor Kimani Wamatangi is yet to identify the party he will defend his seat on amid the shifting political landscape in Mt Kenya. Mr Wamatangi was elected to the UDA. The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) is seen as the new party for the region.
Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Meru is also shaping up as a major contest. Apart from being a one-term county, political bigwigs, including former governors, have declared their interest in the 2027 race.
Pioneer governor Peter Munya was defeated by Mr Kiraitu Murungi in 2017. In the 2022 polls, Mr Murungi lost to Kawira Mwangaza, who was later impeached in March 2025.
Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Her then deputy, Mr Isaac Mutuma, took over. Mr Mutuma is already facing political heat from the three former governors, who are scheming to have him out in the 2027 contest.
In Machakos, Governor Wavinya Ndeti is under political pressure from former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita and Mavoko MP Patrick Makau.
Mr Makau dropped out of the 2022 race, in an alleged agreement to have Ms Ndeti run for only one term.
Wavinya Ndeti, Governor, Machakos County.
Photo credit: Oxfam
Mr Waita has since joined UDA after accusing Mr Musyoka of endorsing Governor Ndeti. In 2022, Mr Waita contested on Chama Cha Uzalendo and emerged second in the race.
“Even though you (Kalonzo) reneged on your promise for Wavinya to go for one term, let her face me in party primaries,” Mr Makau said during a public event in Athi River.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, however, denied the existence of such an agreement. Mr Mwangangi told Mr Makua to prepare for the party primaries, instead of engaging in sympathy-seeking antics.
“That agreement he keeps talking about does not exist. I would advise him to go on the ground and talk with people in readiness for the party primaries, instead of the sideshows,” said Mr Mwangagi.
