When the political history of Alego-Usonga is written, Samuel Onunga Atandi’s name will stand out. For decades, the constituency had gained a notorious reputation as a graveyard for incumbents. No MP had successfully defended the seat for two consecutive terms since the advent of multiparty democracy in 1992. Then came Atandi, the youthful, energetic legislator who broke that jinx, carving a political niche that set him apart from his predecessors.
But with success comes temptation. Buoyed by his rise to national prominence as Chair of the powerful Parliamentary Budget and Appropriations Committee, Atandi, lately, appears to believe the stars have aligned for his next big leap—the Siaya Governorship. Insiders, however, warn that this is more of a fishing expedition than a sure bet.
The Meteoric Rise
Atandi’s political breakthrough came in 2017, when he emerged as the electorate’s favorite, trouncing seasoned opponents including incumbent holder Omondi Muluan in a hotly contested race. His victory was emphatic, and for once, Alego-Usonga voters rallied overwhelmingly behind a candidate, convinced he embodied the generational shift they craved.
The 2022 re-election was less glamorous. Though he retained the seat, observers note that the rival field was considerably weaker, robbing him of the fierce test that had defined his first triumph. Nevertheless, the double victory cemented his place as Alego-Usonga’s first two-term MP in the multiparty era—a feat that emboldened his ambitions.
The Governorship Bug
Those close to him say Atandi has long nursed dreams of higher office, and with Governor James Orengo facing simmering opposition from various sectors, the aperture looks irresistible. Yet, critics argue that the endorsement he received in Alego-Usonga has “gotten to his head,” making him overconfident about his countywide appeal.
Orengo is no pushover. A veteran reformist, lawyer, and incumbent with a visible development record, he enjoys the comfort of incumbency and unmatched grassroots networks. In the same political theatre looms technocrat Nicholas Odero Gumbo, a man who has weathered two bruising gubernatorial campaigns and remains a familiar face in Siaya’s political imagination. Against such seasoned opponents, Atandi risks being reduced to political mincemeat.
Weaknesses and Fault Lines
While articulate and bold, Atandi is also known for his quick temper and an often blunt disregard for the delicate sensibilities of the elderly electorate—a voting bloc still influential in Siaya politics. This temper, combined with a visible unbridled appetite for higher office, has created an image of impatience that unsettles even his most loyal supporters.
His allies suggest that Atandi could play a more strategic role as a running mate in Siaya’s unwritten but well-observed political “sharing formula,” where silent agreements determine who gets what office. But he appears unwilling to settle for the deputy’s seat.
Losing Ground at Home
A bigger problem lies closer to home. Alego-Usonga voters, who once embraced him as their political darling, may be drifting away. The youthful electorate—his strongest base—has begun gravitating toward Kevin Odhiambo, a newcomer without the baggage of corruption allegations or tender wars that have dogged Siaya politics.
Odhiambo, who enjoys a solid financial background through marriage and deep national networks, is increasingly seen as the fresh, untainted alternative. For the younger generation, extending Atandi a third term would be “too generous” now that he has openly declared his appetite for higher office.
Courting the Swing Vote
Atandi is no novice in the game. He understands the decisive power of populous West Alego and Usonga Wards, the traditional swing zones in Alego-Usonga contests. In a calculated move this past week, he accompanied his current political affiliate, Energy CS James Opiyo Wandayi, to a last-mile electrification launch in Uwasi, Usonga sub-location.
He has also quietly rekindled ties with CPA Dr. William Oduol Denge, a passive but influential player in Alego-Usonga and Siaya politics at large. These overtures suggest a man unwilling to let go of his constituency just yet, even as he flirts with the governorship.
Playing in the Big League
Nationally, Atandi’s chairmanship of the Parliamentary Budget and Appropriations Committee has elevated his stature, placing him among the heavyweights in ODM’s political chessboard. He has also found camaraderie in a bloc of ambitious Siaya leaders, including Wandayi, Ugenya MP David Ochieng, and influential former policeman-turned-politician Charles Owino Wahongo.
Analysts view this grouping as more forward-looking—positioning for a 2032 post-Raila Odinga succession rather than a 2027 upset. Against this backdrop, Atandi’s governorship bid may be premature, a move that risks burning political capital rather than consolidating it.
The Road Ahead
Barely eighteen months to the next general election, Siaya’s political landscape remains Orengo’s to lose. Veteran Nicholas Odero Gumbo’s comeback is rather laid-back almost half-hearted as he launches a third stab at the seat. The more candidates crowd the race, the more the odds tilt in Orengo’s favor.
For Atandi, the question remains: is he playing the long game or overreaching in the short one? Having shown a rapacious appetite for higher office, he may have inadvertently closed the door on a third term in Alego-Usonga. If he gambles and loses the governorship, he risks political oblivion in a county where timing, patience, and respect for unwritten rules often decide the game.
For now, Samuel Onunga Atandi is indeed a man on a fishing expedition—whether he returns with a catch or an empty hook will determine his place in Siaya’s unfolding political history.
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