Former Siaya county governor Cornel Rasanga / Photo courtesy/
Former Siaya County Governor Cornel Amoth Rasanga is weighing his options for a possible return to politics after nearly three years of silence.
Rasanga, who served as the first county governor of Siaya, is reportedly preparing a fierce campaign to unseat incumbent MP Sam Atandi. Atandi, who has not yet declared to run for any position in 2027 is likely to seek a third term.
An insider, a close ally of the former governor who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that Rasanga had initially planned to run for the Alego Usonga MP seat in 2022 but withdrew after an intervention by Raila Odinga, the then ODM party leader.
“The governor had plans to represent Alego Usonga in the National Assembly immediately after his tenure as governor. He even met with several ODM party coordinators from across the wards in Alego Usonga, but the plan was put on hold after Jakom (Raila Odinga) intervened,” the insider said.
In recent developments, Rasanga is assembling his team in preparation for his 2027 National Assembly bid, two years ahead of the general elections.
Earlier reports had it that Rasanga would run for Siaya County senator, but his aide refuted these claims.
“We have to be certain about what position Alego Usonga will be assigned in the county leadership. I assure you it will not be a senator. We are beyond that. Alego Usonga is likely to get the county speaker or deputy governor slot and Rasanga would not risk running for a position that we know we cannot lobby for. We’re the majority,” the aide said, adding that Rasanga is poised to challenge those vying for the position.
Incumbent MP Samuel Atandi successfully defended his seat in the last elections, breaking the historic one-term jix that had been in place since 2002, when Sammy Weya took over from the late Peter Oloo Aringo. Former MP Muluan Omondi came second while first-time contestant Sospeter Aming’a, a seasoned High Court advocate, came third in the 2027 Alego Usonga MP race.
Should Rasanga publicly announce his candidacy, he will join businessman Kevin Odhiambo, lawyer Kennedy Odhiambo, and the incumbent Samuel Atandi in the 2027 contest for the Alego Usonga constituency.
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