Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has declared his 2027 bid against the incumbent Simba Arati.

While speaking during a condolence visit by Kisii leaders following his mother’s demise at his Utawala home, the outspoken senator also used the opportunity to urge leaders within the broad-based government to tell Simba Arati that he has nothing personal against him. He said what he differs with him on are principles, adding that they both harbour similar gubernatorial ambitions.

“Those who are in broad-based should tell Simba Arati that I have nothing against him; we only disagree on matters of principle, and I want to run against him in 2027,” Onyonka stated.

Kisii 2027 gubernatorial race

This comes at a time when former Education Cabinet Secretary Eziekel Machogu, who is also in the United Opposition alongside Onyonka, is eyeing the Kisii gubernatorial seat. He has been intensifying his campaigns across the county while rallying behind former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee presidential flagbearer Fred Matiang’i. This follows his failed bid in 2022, where he was dwarfed by Arati and was appointed to Ruto’s cabinet as the education cabinet secretary, but was later sacked after the Gen Z protests.

Leaders allied to Matiang’i, led by former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba, have warned against last-minute defections to his camp, saying that those still in the broad-based arrangement should remain there, and those supporting him since his return to the country should be given priority.

This came during the condolence visit by Kisii leaders to Richard Onyonka, which brought together leaders from different political divides, both from the broad-based government and the united opposition, who graced the event. The leaders shared light moments.

Funeral and politics

Silvanus Osoro praised Onyonka as a unifying factor, saying that he has always accommodated leaders who are not on his political side and has consistently acted as a bridge between rival camps.

Osoro further went ahead to urge politicians present not to shy away from speaking politics during the burial of Onyonka’s mother. According to him, Onyonka is their colleague, and if they find an opportunity to throw jabs at their opponents during the funeral, they should feel free to do so.

“Nimeskia Nyakundi akisema siku hio tuweke siasa kando; mheshimiwa Onyonka ni mmoja wetu; ukipata fursa ya kulima mtu, wewe lima. It’s your moment; lima rarua, fanya kila kitu,” Osoro said.

The late Teresiah Nyaboke will be interred in a private ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026, at her Kisi home after a funeral ceremony in Mosocho, where Kenyans from all walks of life will turn up to mourn the matriarch.