Seth Panyako: The man to watch in Kakamega political dynamics and the road to 2027

The political landscape in Kakamega County is heating up as the 2027 General Elections approach, and alliances are forming across the county.

Historically, the county has been divided into northern and southern blocs when it comes to leadership, with the southern region consistently holding the governorship since the introduction of devolution in 2013.

On the other hand, the northern part of the county, which includes Likuyani, Lugari, Malava, Navakholo, and Shinyalu, has often taken a secondary role, holding the deputy governorship. This pattern has led to growing calls from the north for greater representation in key county positions.

In 2013, former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya appointed Professor Philip Kutima from Malava as his deputy, and in 2017, he retained Kutima for a second term.

In the current county government, FCPA Fernandes Barasa serves as governor, with Ayub Savula from Lugari as his deputy. Despite this, the north has yet to secure any of the top three elective county positions—governor, senator, or woman representative—since devolution began.

Since 2013, the Northern region of the county (Likuyani, Lugari, Malava, Navakholo, and Shinyalu), have held the position of Deputy Governor while the Southern region (Matungu, Mumias East, Mumias West, Butere, Khwisero, Ikolomani and Lurambi) have held the position of Governor.

Former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya named Professor Philip Kutima from Malava Constituency as his deputy, retaining him in 2017 while the incumbent, FCPA Governor Fernandes Barasa settled on Ayub Savula as his deputy.

Savula hails from Lugari constituency, falling under Souther region of the county.

It is worth noting that of all the three elective positions at the county level namely, Governor, Senator and Woman Representative, the Northern region of the county has held none since the advent of devolution.

In the road to 2027 General Election, the conversation about what stake the northerners will have in the next formation is already ripe, and the debate on political forums seems to be unanimous that, “we should be shareholders and not curious on lookers”.

This pattern has led to growing calls from the north for greater representation in key county positions.

The question of who will be presented to be part of the next government and on the decision making table is already being answered by the electorate.

Top on the list of those to go for a county position from the northern side is the Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako.

Panyako hails from Chimoi in Lundu Village, Manda Shivanga Ward, Malava Constituency, and his background as a union leader and his deep connection to the grassroots have made him a respected political figure in Kakamega.

In 2017, Panyako ran for the senatorial seat of Kakamega, where he performed admirably but ultimately lost to Cleophas Malala. In 2022, he switched focus to the Malava parliamentary seat, again coming close but losing to Malulu Injendi.

Panyako’s political experience and network across Kakamega County have only strengthened his reputation as a mature politician with the ability to rally support from all 12 subcounties.

His leadership in advocating for nurses’ rights nationwide has shown his commitment to public service, accountability, and transparency—all essential qualities for a senator. Given his experience and stature, many believe that the Kakamega Senate seat in 2027 is within his reach.

Running for the Kakamega Senate seat in 2027 is a natural progression for Seth Panyako, as it would allow him to maximize his leadership potential and have a broader impact on the county.

The role of senator would enable Panyako to advocate for county-wide policies, hold the county government accountable, and ensure that resources are distributed equitably across Kakamega.

This is especially important for addressing long-standing issues such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education, where Panyako’s expertise would be particularly valuable

Conversely, running for the Malava parliamentary seat would significantly limit Panyako’s influence. As an MP, his focus would be confined to one constituency, reducing his ability to shape broader county policies and reforms. Given his extensive experience and networks, Panyako is better suited for the Senate, where he can champion reforms that benefit the entire county, not just a single region.

If elected as senator, Panyako would have a unique opportunity to address the long-standing inequalities between the northern and southern parts of Kakamega.

His leadership in the Senate could help secure a fairer distribution of resources across all regions, including northern constituencies like Malava, Likuyani, and Lugari, which have often felt overlooked in the county’s leadership structure.

Panyako’s expertise in healthcare, derived from his years of advocacy as Secretary-General of the Kenya National Union of Nurses, would allow him to push for improved healthcare services across Kakamega. With better infrastructure and access to healthcare, the county’s residents would experience a higher standard of living, especially in underserved areas.

Furthermore, infrastructure development would be a key focus of Panyako’s tenure as senator. The road networks and public facilities in many northern parts of Kakamega are in dire need of investment, and Panyako’s experience in advocating for public resources would position him to secure the funding needed for these vital projects.

This would not only improve the livelihoods of Kakamega residents but also boost the local economy by improving access to markets and services.

Panyako would also focus on education and youth empowerment, two areas where Malava and other northern constituencies have struggled.

By advocating for more funding for schools and vocational training centers, he would create opportunities for the youth, reducing unemployment and helping the next generation develop valuable skills for the job market. His leadership would aim to ensure that Kakamega’s youth are well-equipped to compete in a rapidly changing economy, both locally and nationally.

In terms of governance, Panyako’s commitment to transparency and accountability would ensure that public funds are managed efficiently and that corruption is reduced.

His track record as a union leader shows that he values accountability and the responsible use of resources—qualities that are essential for a senator tasked with overseeing the implementation of county budgets.

By ensuring that county funds are spent wisely, Panyako would create a more transparent government that residents can trust.

Panyako’s leadership would not only bring progress to Malava but also contribute to greater political unity across Kakamega. As the county’s senator, he would have the platform to bridge the historical divide between the northern and southern regions, advocating for a governance structure that benefits all residents.

By promoting policies that ensure equitable resource distribution, Panyako would help create a more unified Kakamega, where all constituencies have a voice in decision-making processes.

His ability to work across different political lines and form alliances with key stakeholders would make him a unifying figure in the county’s politics. In a county as diverse as Kakamega, with its mix of urban and rural populations, uniting various political factions is essential for driving meaningful development.

With his extensive network and influence, Panyako would be able to work closely with the county’s leadership to ensure that Kakamega continues to grow economically and politically.

His leadership in the Senate would provide stability, as he has demonstrated the ability to remain steadfast in his goals while navigating the complexities of local and national politics.

As Kakamega prepares for the 2027 General Elections, Seth Panyako stands out as a leader with the experience, vision, and political acumen to take on the role of Senator of Kakamega County.

His background as a union leader and his deep connection to grassroots communities make him uniquely qualified to advocate for county-wide reforms, improve healthcare, infrastructure, and education, and ensure that public funds are managed transparently and accountably.

Running for the Senate, rather than vying for the Malava parliamentary seat, would allow Panyako to have a broader impact on the county, ensuring that all regions of Kakamega benefit from equitable resource distribution and sound governance. As senator, he would be in a prime position to address the inequalities that have long plagued the northern parts of the county while promoting unity and stability across Kakamega.

Seth Panyako’s leadership is what Kakamega needs in the years ahead, and his candidacy for Senate in 2027 represents a path toward greater political representation, economic growth, and development for all residents of the county.

Many say panyako is the only mature politician who has a good political network across the county and who can marshal votes in all the twelve subcounties to be the next Senator.

While it is not clear what he is up to, Panyako has given a wide berth to Malava politics, and for almost two months, he has been missing in action.

However, political pundits say Panyako is ripe to become the senator of Kakamega, and it can be a walk in the park compared to if he made a decision to vie for MP’s seat again.

Elsewhere, the MCA for Chekalini Ward Titus Kwoma is being proposed as another candidate who can be fronted to the larger county politics.

Kwoma is serving a second term, and he is said to have amassed a wealth of experience both in politics and administration.

A section says he is the best candidate to replace Savula as DG while others argue that he can do well in oversighting the County as Senator, what with his steller performance when he served as the Leader of Minority in the County Assembly between 2013 to 2017.

It is upon him to decide what best suits him.

Enter Lawyer Leonard Shimaka.

Shimaka has shown signs that he will be fighting for the gubernatorial seat and he has already received approval from a section of the electorate from across the political divide, giving him the oomph to step into the ring.

Should Shimaka decide to go for the seat, Governor Barasa may have a hard time to convince voters from the North, especially from Malava Constituency.