As the dust settles from Saturday’s charged Linda Ground rally in Siaya town, one truth stands out: the contest to succeed Dr. Oburu Oginga in the Senate seat is generating plenty of spectacle but precious little serious momentum. With the veteran senator – now ODM’s acting party leader – widely expected to step aside after years of distinguished service, the race should be a showcase of fresh ambition. Instead, it feels like a gathering of familiar faces recycling old routines while Siaya residents quietly demand more.
The rally itself offered a telling snapshot. When former Siaya Governor Cornell Rasanga Amoth stepped up to address the crowd, he delivered his trademark performance: energetic dances, the nostalgic “pemblepepemblepe” chants that once defined his campaigns, and a playful question to the audience – “Will you give me what I want?” – referring to the coveted Senate seat. The response was warm laughter, the kind reserved for an endearing but eccentric family elder rather than a frontrunner. It was good-natured indulgence, not the fervent endorsement a genuine contender needs. Rasanga’s flair may still charm some, but in today’s Siaya, voters appear hungry for gravitas over theatrics.
Walter Okelo, the county’s Chief Officer for Governance and a vocal youth advocate, has similarly struggled to ignite real excitement. Despite a relentless social media campaign and appearances at youth gatherings, his presence in the broader senator race feels muted. Okelo talks a big game about vision and change, yet the groundswell many expected has yet to materialize. In a county that prides itself on sharp political instincts, aspirants must bring more than buzz – they need substance that resonates with everyday concerns like devolution, accountability, and development.
This vacuum has opened the door for candidates who project steadiness and proven capability. Former Alego-Usonga MP Sammy Weya has emerged as a standout, stirring genuine enthusiasm with his no-nonsense style. A former parliamentarian who has since built a successful farming enterprise, Weya embodies the practical leader Siaya appears to crave – someone who understands budgets, oversight, and real economic impact rather than endless politicking. His entry has injected fresh energy into the conversation, with supporters praising him as the antidote to the “wheeler-dealers” dominating headlines.
Zacky Masiro, a Certified Public Accountant, brings another compelling angle. Still finding his footing in Siaya’s rough-and-tumble campaign environment, Masiro offers financial expertise ideally suited to the Senate’s demanding role in auditing county funds and shaping national policy. His emphasis on uplifting widows, youth, and grassroots communities positions him as a fresh, integrity-focused voice – exactly the kind of non-recycled talent locals say the county deserves.
Across Siaya, the sentiment is unmistakable: this is no time to settle for mediocrity. As a stronghold of ODM loyalty and a cradle of Kenya’s progressive politics, the county has produced giants and expects its next senator to measure up. Residents are not short of options or talent; they refuse to accept pretenders or retreads when so much is at stake for devolution and local progress.
The 2027 elections will test whether Siaya chooses fireworks or foundation-building. With Oburu Oginga’s legacy setting a high bar, voters are signaling clearly: they want leaders who deliver results, not just rallies. The pretenders may keep dancing, but the real contenders are quietly building the case for why they – and only they – deserve the seat. In Siaya, substance is finally winning the argument.
