Brian Makamu Lishenga was 12 years when Dr Boni Ikhunyalo Khalwale joined elective politics in 1997 by vying for the Ikolomani parliamentary seat and lost to Joseph Jolly Mugalla.

Neither was he eligible to vote in 2002 when Khalwale eventually dethroned Mugalla.

But, Lishenga is giving Khalwale sleepless nights as the two medical doctors battle for the Kakamega Senate seat.

A fierce battle between an old hand and a greenhorn is fast shaping out as the clock ticks towards August 9.

On the other hand is yet another rematch between Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya and Khalwale.

The governor is the force behind Lishenga who is the ODM (Azimio) flag-bearer while Khalwale, the governor’s long-time political nemesis, is the UDA (Kenya Kwanza) candidate.

Oparanya will not be seeking an elective seat in the forthcoming polls after serving two terms but is out to prove his mettle in the Kakamega County politics especially after being nominated as Azimio government’s designated as Cabinet Secretary for the National Exchequer.

The outgoing governor and Khalwale have never been on the same political lane over the years. Oparanya successfully sought the Kakamega governorship seat in 2013 on the ODM ticket with Khalwale winning as Senator via UDF but whose gubernatorial flag-bearer Paul Olando and ally Soita Shitanda flopped.

In 2017, Khalwale vied against Oparanya in the governorship race but lost.

The governor insisted yesterday he was keen to retire 62-year-old Khalwale from politics by ensuring that he was beaten by 36-year-old Lishenga.

“The August 9 elections is very significant to our county and the Luhya community at large. This is because we are keen to usher in a new phase of leadership. That is what Brian represents,” the governor said.

“We can not allow this noise-maker who revels in inciting even innocent bulls to fight to get back into Senate,” he added.

But Khalwale said he was the best bet for the seat as he would hold the next county administration to account.

“Oparanya managed to perform between 2013 and 2017 due to effective oversight from Khalwale. I am wondering what Kakamega could be like today if I did not exert the pressure that I did,” said Khalwale.

PAC Chairman

“My record as MP for Ikolomani during which I also served as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the National Assembly speaks volumes,” he added.

Khalwale accused Oparanya of seeking to micro-manage affairs of the county through his prodigies such as Lishenga. The two-horse race is getting tougher by the day with political analysts pointing to a narrow margin.

“Brian is young and energetic and, thus, easily accepted by mostly the first and second-time youthful voters. Mothers also appear attracted to him as a brave son who can stand up to somebody of his father’s age,” said Desterio Okumu, a political commentator from the county. 

He added, “Boni is a veteran who is not just out to rekindle his personal political fortunes but also embarrass Oparanya and win the confidence of his master, Deputy President William Ruto. It will, thus, be a battle royale.”

Both Khalwale and Lishenga hail from the Kakamega Central zone.

Khalwale is from Ikolomani while Lishenga has settled in Lurambi, although he was originally from Shinyalu. In addition, Lishenga’s mother is from Ikolomani, so is Khalwale’s.

Khalwale appears to be walking a tightrope as he has support of only one sitting MP, Benjamin Washiali of Mumias East.