Mautuma Ward, located in Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County, has one of the hottest races in the region with individuals yearning to be part of the winning teams in the August 9 general elections. With just 101 days to the polls, here is the list of all the candidates and their profiles.
1. Stephen Mulonga
He is the incumbent, seeking a second term after winning the elections in 2022. The MCA, whose permanent residence is in Sipande, will be vying for the ANC party ticket. He is a teacher (science option) by profession.
Mulonga owns real estate in Eldoret town and also practices large-scale farming.
2. Salim Namusasi
Salim, a poligamous man, lives in Mbagara. In the 2017 general elections, he emerged in position four, and this is going to be his second stab at the seat. He won the ODM ticket by amassing 424 votes against the 294 of Miller Idagiza in ODM nominations.
3. Dan Wafula
He is a resident of St. Kizito. A trained medical officer, Dan is also a businessman, and this is going to be his first attempt. He will be vying under the Entrust party ticket.
4. Mark Wasilwa
A resident of Mbagara, Mark was the first MCA of Mautuma Ward between 2013 and 2017. He failed to defend his seat in the 2017 general elections and lost to Stephen Mulonga after emerging in position three.
Mark holds the experience of an untrained teacher who used to practice in the Rift Valley. He will be trying to regain the seat under the DAP-K party ticket.
5. Robert Waswa
A former chairman of the Mlimani Bodaboda Association, Robert is running for the seat for the first time. He will be running on the UDA ticket.
6. Charles Anyona
A businessman by occupation, Anyona holds no higher education certificate. The resident of Central Scheme Ndogo will be flying the UDP flag in the ward.
7. Lucy Kibusu
Lucy, the only woman in the race, hails from Mukuyu Sub-location. She is attempting it for the first time under the Independent Party ticket. Little is known about her.
8. David Luseno
Luseno is an experienced surveyor who also practices large-scale farming. He will be contesting as an independent candidate and has tried to lead Mautuma since 1997.
9. Miller Idagiza
Miller Idagiza, whose Facebook profile indicates that he studied at Kenya Institute of Management in Nairobi, lost the ODM nominations to Salim Namusasi and has announced that he will be vying as an independent candidate. The 29-year-old went to St. Augustine’s Mlimani in Mautuma.
Tom Lutali is a seasoned scribe based in Lugari Sub-County in Kakamega County who writes human interest stories and sports for WKT.
