Kiminini Member of Parliament Maurice Kakai Bisau has officially entered the race for Trans Nzoia's top seat, vowing to unseat Governor George Natembeya in a high-stakes 2027 election.

The first-term legislator is framing his candidacy as a rescue mission for a county he claims is lagging in fundamental development. At the heart of his campaign is the newly unveiled "Fungua Movement," a political initiative with open arms as its symbol, designed to directly challenge Governor Natembeya's own "Tawe Movement." Bisau argues his movement will open doors for development, contrasting it with what he terms the incumbent's closed-off and underperforming leadership.

"Our people need their lives opened up to opportunities, not closed off by empty slogans," Bisau noted during the launch, which drew hundreds of supporters. "We are here to offer a clear plan for jobs, for water, and for a government that works for everyone."

A Stalled County?

Bisau's central accusation is that critical projects have stagnated under the current administration, directly impacting the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. He points to the multi-million shilling Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, a project valued at approximately KES 840 million, as a prime example of stalled progress. "Governor Khaemba left us with a modern market that was 96% complete. Three years later, that market is not finished because Mr. Tawe has stagnated it," Bisau alleged.

These claims appear to be substantiated by a recent report from the Controller of Budget, which revealed that Trans Nzoia was among 20 counties that recorded zero development expenditure in the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year. While the county operates on a KES 9.1 billion budget for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, questions are mounting about the pace of project implementation.

The incumbent, Governor Natembeya, has previously defended his record, launching an "Ukombozi Campaign" aimed at liberating the county from poverty, disease, and illiteracy and has cited challenges with the level of funding from the national government.

The Battle for the Basics

For the average Trans Nzoia family, this political battle boils down to essential services. With a poverty rate of 35.3%, the need for economic opportunity is urgent. Bisau has seized on the chronic issue of water scarcity as a key campaign pillar.

• Water Scarcity: Despite being home to two major water towers, Mt Elgon and Cherang'any Hills, access to clean water remains a significant challenge.
• Constituency Disparities: Data shows that in some areas, like Bisau's own Kiminini constituency, as few as 15.8% of households have access to safe drinking water.
• Bisau's Pledge: "It is laughable that our people lack reliable water access. If you give me the chance, I will ensure all homesteads have clean and safe drinking water," he promised.

The race is quickly becoming crowded, with former Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa and former Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha also declaring their interest, setting the stage for a fierce contest within the Kenya Kwanza coalition to pick a single candidate to face Natembeya.

As the political temperature rises, the residents of Trans Nzoia are watching closely. The ultimate question for them is not about political movements or slogans, but who can finally deliver on the promise of a better life in Kenya's breadbasket.