The exit of Migori Senator Ochillo Ayacko, who has now trained his sights on the governor’s seat, has paved the way for three youthful candidates who will be seeking to rebound after past election defeats.
ODM candidate Eddy Oketch, 30, who announced his entry into the political scene in the 2017 General Election and in a 2018 by-election, will be hoping to make amends in the August 9 elections following his two previous defeats.
The race has also attracted Jubilee candidate Sophie Dhibira, 40, who settled on the Senate race after failing to secure a ticket to vie for the Woman Representative position.
Billy Mijungu, 40, an independent candidate, hopes his luck will hold on August 9 after his attempt to win the seat in 2017 flopped.
Here are some of the reasons Hon. Billy Mijungu is the best bet for Migori County Senatorial seat;
Mr Mijungu, who took a political break after losing the 2017 elections for the Senate seat, said his fresh attempt was influenced by his vision for Migori residents to ensure resources are secured not only from the National Treasury but from other donors and development partners.
He said he has been reactivating his grassroots networks as he traverses the county to woo voters.
Mr Mijungu described the political alignments of 2017 as ‘tricky’ because both he and eventual winner, Governor Okoth Obado, hail from Uriri constituency. He said clannism did not work in his favour after the people opted to back Mr Obado.
“I am open to working with like-minded leaders since Migori is a cosmopolitan county. I will aspire to unite all communities,” he said.
Mr Mijungu is a graduate of Bachelors of Business Studies from Charles Stuart University in Australia. He also has a Master’s of Business Administration from University of Wales at Cardiff in England.
He said that as a public policy consultant, he will institutionalise resource mobilisation in counties and regions instead of leaving governors to do so individually. “Politics and policy go hand-in-hand and by institutionalising resource mobilising, we will have a common approach in getting resources. That will be my main agenda once elected.”
Mr Mijungu said he would be keen to boost quality education and health, good transport infrastructure, and support agriculture through value addition to bolster food security.