Senator Godfrey Osotsi declares 2027 Vihiga gubernatorial bid
By Emmanuel Rono, April 7, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has declared his intention to run for the Vihiga County governorship in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in an interview with a local radio station on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Osotsi highlighted his track record in oversight, noting he has engaged the county government in a record 18 meetings to ensure accountability.
“Unajua mimi sijaamka mimi siasa yangu napanga mbele. Sipangangi siasa ya miaka mitano, napanga siasa ya miaka 10 kwenda mbele. Mimi nilikuwa mbunge, nilikuwa National Assembly, nilikuwa nominated member of parliament. Na wakati huo nikakuwa na nafasi ya kusimama kiti ya gavana, ubunge na seneta, nikatoa uamuzi,” Osotsi stated.
Loosely translate, “I plan my politics ahead, I don’t plan for five years; I plan for the next ten years and beyond. I have been an MP, I served in the National Assembly, and I was a nominated Member of Parliament. At that time, I had the opportunity to contest for the positions of governor, MP, or senator, and I made my decision,” Osotsi stated.
Osotsi’s ten-year plan
Osotsi dismissed the idea that his bid was a recent impulse, explaining that he plans his political moves ten years in advance.
He stated that during his 2022 campaign, he was transparent with voters about his trajectory.
“Kama ulikuwa unafuata kampeni yangu ya 2022 nilikuwa nasema kwamba nataka watu wa Vihiga wanichague nikuwe senetor wao kwa miaka mitano. Baada ya miaka mitano mimi ninataka niingie ulingo wa kuwa gavana wa vihiga kaunti,” Osotsi said.
“I was telling people that in 2027, if you elect me as Senator, I will want to be Governor,” he stated.
Laws of devolution
He described the Senate as the ultimate training ground for an aspiring governor.
He added that he has gained enough experience in the house, making him fit to run the county.
“The Senate is the big house for learning about devolution. If you want all the laws of devolution, it’s there… the systems, structures, and exercises are all in the Senate,” Osotsi said.
Osotsi further held several roadside meetings to explain to the people why he was taking a stab at the Vihiga gubernatorial race in the 2027 polls.